Panel says improved relay services will mean increased choice for users
28 July 2011
Welcoming Ofcom’s plans to improve relay services, Panel Chair Bob Warner said:
“The Panel is pleased that Ofcom proposes to improve relay services, including upgrading text relay provision and introducing a Next Generation service through mainstream equipment such as PCs and laptops. Users will no longer be limited to accessing the service through specialist equipment, which should give them an increased level of choice.
“We also asked Ofcom to look at how to introduce a video relay service – while recognising that the costs are potentially substantial. The current proposal is to make video relay available on a restricted basis. The Panel would encourage Ofcom and users to learn from this proposed implementation, so that an informed decision can be made about how to extend the service in time, once usage has been established.”