RC,, I was watching your videos ,,, I just have to say something ,, it really bother me ,, u keep blaming sorenson ,, but really it is not all about sorenson ,, it is every one of vrs services ,, yeah Purple is not in that cat. t-3 yet,, but if FCC pass the cut rate then in couple yrs ,, Purple will fall in that cat. t3 , so what they going to do about that , they will too have same problem as sorenson , and it will keep getting worse , then by that time we wont have any vrs services for all the deaf people who really need it ,,, yeah i know everybody have their own ideas, but I still have not see any facts , or prove that sorenson is doing dirty work ,, u said that no one will come forward to claim what they said ,, cuz they dont have real proof, or real fact ,, it is just all words ,, of what they said . I could have make video of myself saying all of bad things about purple or whatever but no I dont do that without have facts first. If u or anybody dont like sorenson ,, that is fine ,, then dont use their service ,, u dont need to put them down without have facts. I am using sorenson and purple too ,, i dont see any different , but I still prefer sorenson,, I get better understanding from them about vp ,, when i got purple ,, did they explained ,, teach me about purple ,,no ,, they didnt do that ,, but I dont have to cut them down for that .
If nobody stand together and fight fcc,, for all the vrs services,, we will not have vrs services ,, it wont happen in few yrs , but give it more than 5 yrs ,, i can see there will be none vrs services for our future children,, is that how u want it??? Sorenson is asking fair and same pay as all another vrs services,, it just dont make sense ,, more custumers u have , less pay u get.
Also another comment that u said in another video about that sorenson higher office,, pres. v. pres., etc, ceo, that they are all hearing ,, ok , now tell me what about purple ,, are all emp. ,, pres., ceo , etc all hearing or not . It doesnt make any different at all !!!!
I would love to see what your answer to that ,, I would like to know what u are so againist , so angry at sorenson
May 6, 2010 - 2:26pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
If the FCC puts these new rates in place, VRS companies will lose money for each call that is made. If these rates are accepted by the FCC, VRS will no longer exist. This is not a matter of Sorenson or other companies, this is a matter of VRS. Save VRS by contacting the FCC, I already have!!!
May 6, 2010 - 8:06am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Wake up everybody, stop stabbing Sorenson Communications. Get to work on contacting FCC and show them your concerns about their proposed cut down VRS rates for this 3 year peroid. If they cut down VRS rates, VRS companies will shrink the interpretering services among various other services like videophones at discounted prices or free videophones from Sorenson. Do you want to get back to TYPING ON THOSE STUPID TTY/TDDs!!!!!!!!
March 27, 2010 - 10:09am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Thank you for the apology re: the use of the Holocaust image
re: the FCC ruling -
does this new ruling prevent a VRS provider employee from using a DIFFERENT company than their own to place business VRS calls?
if not - they there is NO potential for Deaf employment discrimination and discussion closed and we have all just been a wee bit of hysteria for nothing
the rulings based on the "creative" billing and overt fraud seems justified - especially if VRS companies were using their OWN VRS service for internal face to face meetings or even internal calls just to rack up minutes. that is just unethical
there are LOTS of regulations for federal jobs and federally funded jobs - it seems requiring that VRS co. employees must use other VRS services seems just given the recent findings of creative corrupted accounting
re: fear mongering - if true, it is a shame and always leads to the down fall of the folks who perpetuate it EVENTUALLY so i hope that was not the motive
re: one company having a corner on the VRS market and that creating problems - could anti-trust / anti-monopoly laws apply here?
re: cow path - a direct route is often wise and useful but when direct routes are actually used to create dependence - folks will eventually end up wishing they took the long walk around. We could all use the exercise
peace
patti
March 27, 2010 - 10:00am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
thank you for your apology re: the use of the Holocaust image in the past vlog
question - this new ruling. could a Deaf employee at one VRS company use a different VRS company to conduct telephone business?
i can appreciate why it might be somewhat sticky for a Soreson employee to be using a convo VR service or for Sprint to use Purple etc to discuss equipment or contracts but the interpreters have a sworn code of ethic
i have NOT read the ruling in depth but it looks to me that its purpose was to prevent ANY VRS company from padding the call minutes but using VRS for face to face internal meetings of which if they were an ordinary company theyd have to hire an interpreter for and also so that their employees were not making lots of calls just to rack up minutes for their own company
so i dont think the ruling (if i understand it right) is actually going to serve as a form of potential discrimination for the Deaf employees at these companies. it just means that these employees will have to use a different service other than their own companies to ensure that ethical, just, and appropriate use of minutes occurs
if im totally misunderstanding things - forgive me
re: one major company cornering the market - can any anti-trust or monopoly type of legislation apply to this situation
peace
patti
March 20, 2010 - 6:46pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
News flash for you people.
This whole event was never about deaf on staff at purple. This was about purple ginning their billable time by Telemarketing and with their own hires and then billing the time for their self generated telemarketing. This was a straight up bust and why they agreed to pay the money back, no contest. BUSTED!
March 11, 2010 - 7:46pm — Toodle oooooo (not verified)
PURPLE COMMUNICATIONS ACKNOWLEDGES DEBT,
BEGINS PAYBACK TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY FUND
Washington, DC -- Purple Communications, a provider of telecommunications relay services, has signed an agreement with the FCC that puts in place the framework for repayment of funds that were inappropriately paid to the company. Under this agreement, Purple "acknowledges that the FCC [has stated that Purple has] a debt amounting to $18,459,064, and has determined not to challenge the FCC's position."
Under the agreement, the funds will be repaid to the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA), which administers the government fund that pays for relay services for deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers. In return for this commitment, the FCC will instruct NECA to release payment to Purple for relay services provided in the month of December 2009, and will continue to reimburse for legitimate relay services provided by Purple month by month.
"We're pleased that Purple has acknowledged its debt to the government and agreed to repay it," said Joel Gurin, Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC. "Because this agreement enables Purple to continue doing business, it will also benefit Purple's customers and employees. We look forward to Purple's fulfillment of this agreement in the months ahead."
This action follows a Declaratory Ruling, issued by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC on February 25, that reaffirms the FCC's rules regarding which calls can be compensated from the government relay fund. Relay services allow people with hearing disabilities to communicate with hearing people. In video relay service (VRS), this is done through an interpreter who can translate speech into American Sign Language and vice versa.
The Declaratory Ruling restates that government funds can only be used to pay for relay service for calls that involve at least one party in the United States. In addition, the Ruling restates that relay service for any calls made to or from the employees of a VRS provider - for example, for marketing or other business purposes - cannot be paid for at the minute-by-minute rate used to calculate payments for relay services provided to consumers. The costs of these business calls can, however, be submitted by VRS companies as part of the overhead that is used to calculate how the government will reimburse them.
The FCC calculated that Purple had been inappropriately paid by NECA for $18.4 million in calls that either began and ended outside the U.S., or that were made to or from Purple employees. Purple has agreed to work with the FCC on a plan to repay this amount over time, and will have 180 days to develop a repayment plan with the FCC. Purple has also agreed to make an initial payment after it receives its December payment from NECA. While this agreement addresses Purple's debt obligation to the government, it does not affect any possible government investigations into Purple's business practices.
- END -
March 14, 2010 - 10:55am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
My name is Jeff, am Located in the East Coast, am the president of my club that supports people of color. We are a club that been around for 20 years and we have meet with other leaders through out the states.
There will be V Logs, news information and we have 14 committee already set up. We as color people will be meeting at Gally University today, we planning on launching serious MOVE against Sorenson and we are calling out EVERY Color person in America who is Deaf and Hearing NOT TO USE SORENSON SERVICE period!!
Do NOT support this VRS Company!!! Why would you want to use a VRS service that does not support diversity or having color people in their leadership inner circle. After all Sorenson controls 85 percent of all VRS marketing, out the 85 percent, there's over 30 percent users that are color people and yet Sorenson can not hire a leader who is Black or Mexican that is DEAF in a supervisor role.
A date has been set for us to launch this plan which is March 26th, 2010. People of Color who are Deaf and Hearing will be contacted. Let's get this going, and show we mean BUSINESS!!!
March 26, 2010 - 9:42am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
That not many Blacks or Hispanic people have APPLIED for management positions? It's not fair to blame the company when it's the people that have not applied.
March 26, 2010 - 9:30am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Oh my goodness. Sorenson has ALOT of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, ETC working for them. Quite a few are managers. The director of the Spanish division is Hispanic. Sorenson also has domestic partnership rights. From what I've learned (accurate or not??), no other VRS company provides domestic partnership benefits. Instead of fighting against the company, why not work with them? Sorenson is always happy to work with their employees to improve the company and provide training for advancement. Come on! This is silly!
March 11, 2010 - 5:57pm — silentarthur (not verified)
I do not like idea of hiding your name behind "annoymous signer" That make me suspect that their blog is full of holes or lies
or other better wording " trouble making" My question is why they are afraid of stand up and speak out what they know or feel...
We are in land of freedom, so be honest of your speech instead of cowering behind Cowardly Annoymous Flag....
March 14, 2010 - 10:43am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Some people rather be anoymous and dont want to give their name. There are some reason for that. they can be threatened in future becuae some employer know their name and wont hire them. or some people like to backbite on them. i know some blogger would backbite. I avoid RLM and Ridor. He is monstrous. I know him back to 1998 !. they dont respect people and want to be sadistic !
I see many blog posted by anoymous are true. I was anoymous and posted many blogs related to datastar, Purple and Bonheyno in the past . In the result Purple ended up agreeing to pay back 18 million to FCC.
I hope that you will understand why people do that
June 3, 2010 - 11:47pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I'd like to say that your comment is right on the mark. I'm going up against Sorenson because they continue to deny me
my rights. If I share what I mean by my rights, Sorenson will know who I am and of course their will be negative consequences.
I continue to fight for my rights, I do it for me and for all the others that work for Sorenson or are considering to do so. Don't allow them to bully you.
The only way things can be dealt with is by exposing the truth. As soon as I have a resolution to my situation, the information will
be out there. My hopes are that Sorenson learns that no matter how much money they have, they can't continue to treat people the
way they do. I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one that is going through this with Sorenson. Of course I'm very thankful for my job, however I'm not thankful for the struggles I've gone through with the company. It's just not right that a powerful company can treat their employees that ask for their rights to be met like they are cancer within their company. Come on!!! Everyone has rights and that should be recognized.
John D. Rockefeller: Chance Quotes
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession, a duty.
We all are responsible for our rights so we must continue to strive for the betterment of our fellow man by speaking up.
Purple need to work hard and develop how to make a good stragery of managing their finanical opeartion including revenue and operating cost. Purple must work hard on having a large group of high quality of interpreting and they must work hard how to produce more revenue. OF COURSE CUT high opearting expense and must restructe management pay and managment position. They have ten vice president positions ! too much for troubled companies.. Use brain to success the business ! or go back to school or training !
March 8, 2010 - 10:28pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
If Sorenson has many deafs in upper managment and deaf employee in superviosry postion and leader team etc.. Suppose total number is 40 percent of the managment, they would already have expereince exactly same as what Purple ! Sorenson would have to pay back to bleep FCC
March 6, 2010 - 8:39pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I understand how Kelby Brick's comments can be misleading. Let me tell you my perspective on the issue.
The FCC has determined in it's ruling on Feb 25th that no employee is allowed to place calls through any video relay service and have the FCC fund that call. Deaf or hearing employee. They do not specify. On or off the clock. They do not specify. SO if any person employed by any video relay service has made a call through the service the FCC wants that money back. They are ordering Purple to pay back money for that reason. This affects every video relay service. The reason people think that will leave Sorenson as the only surviving entity is because Sorenson has been around the longest and has deep enough pockets to absorb such a loss of money.
Below is a link to the specific information from the FCC website. You can see exactly what I'm talking about.
Dave Johnson bribed officials and stuff like that related to the HEARING olympics. This was before video-phones and VRS even appeared. This has nothing to do with what Ryan is talking about or with Deaf people.
March 6, 2010 - 10:27pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I want to see Soreson to donate money for reseraching related to deaf need and education, etc Deaf US Olympic and Miss Deaf America or any other event.. We all will watch them if they dont donate I will switch to a deaf owned VRS DEAF POWER !
March 7, 2010 - 1:07am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I just would like to add a few things to my previous comment regarding R.C.'s 4th vlog. Also, I would like to mention that if the VRS company loses their service vendor, then they could replace for another vendor. For example, Purple Communications just lost DataStar as their service vendor in Florida as according to R.C.'s previous vlog. Now it is either for them to replace their vendor or to discontinue their service if they could not find another vendor. And hopefully, once they find a new service vendor, their manager would be able to do a better job for the company. I believe that Purple Communications, Inc. is not going out of business based on this small fling that occurred in Florida. I appreciate your attention to this matter and sharing this with us. Thank you!
March 6, 2010 - 10:44pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Ron you say that several several several several VRS companies are going to close and all of them face bankruptcy ! You flatter deaf customer!!!!!!!!! try to lure them OUT OF much alive deaf -owned company and other VRS company that has MUCH MORE deaf employee and deaf maangment than Sorenson has !
Duh Ron ! Stop fabricting and misjudge other VRS ! you have bad account ! twist and exxagerate I have been Soreson user for five years and am looking for a deaf-owned VRS or Purple !
I want YOU TO DELETE SORESON NEWS that Soreson sent out on March 3 . send anotehr video truthful message right away. that really bleep me OFF !
March 7, 2010 - 1:08am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
What Ron Burdett said in his message is factual and based on evidence. There have been letters sent out about this from other VRS companies. Ron does not just make things up. Sheesh. Give the man some credit.
March 7, 2010 - 8:39am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Ron said several companies may close and file bankruptcy
in fact of matter several companies have not done
Ron said customer were frightened to hear FCC s recent announcment and assured them by showing his grin and welcoming them to join with his extended arm and his gesture indicated come on
In fact of matter many were not frightened to hear ! VRS call center still are opend 24/7 !
I know you want to OUTCOmpete other nice try !
i want to thank you for informing a list of donation.
I am writing in response to R.C.'s #4 Vlog regarding some of the issues involving the entire relay system at FCC. I strongly agree with R.C. that FCC has another single vendor to attend to - call service system, which is similar to the relay system. The relay system as a whole has a variety of SERVICES provided for the deaf community such as Sorenson, SprintIP, Viable/SnapVRS, Purple Communications, and etc. Generally speaking, some of the owners do not realize that their managements are at stake when they cheat behind the owners' backs. For instance, the managers are responsible for the outbreak of the VRS cheating spree and the owners became scapegoats instead of the managers. So therefore, the owners are to be proven innocent before they take action against their own managers.
Please take a look at Sorenson's wise movement - they set up a total but complete protection for their business last October, so that we could continue to receive their service. I understand that they laid off some of the deaf employees from their turf, which caused a turmoil for the deaf community. However, the reason is PROBABLY because their former deaf employees were giving the confidential information about Sorenson's private operation to the other deaf-owned VRS companies. That could be considered as illegal and also could result a job loss. I cherish and value Sorenson's excellent services because so unlike the other relay services, they provided FREE VP devices ($250-$300 each); and they developed solid but secured foundation so that we could continue to have their life-lasting service. Also, their sacrifice of time for the deaf community has already shown a greater value - they are currently providing the top-quality of booth and workshop speakers, at-home installers, ASL technical support staff, and ASL customer service representatives to meet our needs. The owner of Sorenson learned ASL and supports us all the way! Of course, Sorenson has a really BIG heart!
March 6, 2010 - 9:52pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Sorenson ordered a large volume of vp device so they got very low price at each of vp device.. Now all technological device - HDTV, laptop and other are SO cheap.. small HDTV cost 400 latop cost 400 PC cost less than 400.. rotor and modeum cost less than 30 dollars.. According to Moore s law chip and transmitter cost keep going down and down SO VP device should cost less than 20 dollars becuass Sorenson ordered a large volume of devices..
Sorenson is wealthiest VRS company of all becuae they have many other sercvie and sale for which they have been doing for years and years
Interestringly Sorenson brided monies to HEARING WINTER OLYMPIC 2002 and Sorenson was charged for bride WOW WHy not they donated money to deaf US OLYMPIC, Miss Deaf America event and reseraching program related to deaf and many deaf orgainzation that need monies.
They are wealthy and dont help any. They once donated to Gallaudet not enuff !
i know Sorenson billed FCC some amount inapproiately..I will tell FCC okay ...
June 4, 2010 - 11:17am — Jason Thomas (not verified)
This issue, like you say, is volume, manufacturing any device is extremely expensive when the volume is low- which is definitely the case for the VP200 as opposed to for instance a commercial router. A company I worked for doing digital high-definition media payed over 400 dollars for a less sophisticated set top box, called the Amino, even though from my personal estimation the hardware was worth no more than 15 dollars. The volume of videophones in circulation is immensely lower than the volume of HDTVs or laptops sold.
March 7, 2010 - 1:11am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Sorenson did not bribe anyone during the Hearing Winter Olympics. Dave Johnson did---his actions had nothing to do with Sorenson at all!
Sorenson was, if I remember right, the biggest contributor (donate"er") to the Deaf Winter Olympics. Sorenson contributed alot of money to NAD. Sorenson is the biggest contributor to the RID-Region 5 Convention in utah this summer. Sorenson is the biggest contributor to the CIT conference in October. I don't know if Sorenson was the biggest contributor to ASLTA's national conference, but they donated alot.
March 3, 2010 - 4:32pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I'm trying to comprehend why people are choosing words where it can hurt someone, especially Ryan here. Ryan can correct me if I am wrong, his intention is simple: To bring light to the dark secrets of the VRS industry. In other words, he's on the deaf community side and ensuring we're not being taken advantage of. For a long time, the upper managements have been using our "deaf bodies" for the sake of wealth, putting themselves first before our telecommunication rights.
In light of FCC's recent announcement, Ryan is probably the one of the few people who gets it and that the ruling is relatively simple:
- Internal calls between employees are not reimbursable.
- Business calls in benefit of the company (ie: business negotiations, business travels, etc...) are not reimbursable.
If I understand the per-minute costs, those internal and business-related calls are built into the costs.
If anybody got Convo Relay's recent email, they claim to be "in great shape". One has to wonder what the differences in regards to business practices between Convo Relay vs troubled VRS providers (ie: Purple).
Ryan, thank you for being on our side. Continue what you're doing and the community will later realize and appreciate your support. Give them some time to recover.
March 6, 2010 - 10:07pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I am SO SHOCKED to find out that FCC launched an invegistation on Purple Communication INC in 2007 and 2008. I read the financial statement that they filed at SEC. The law requires all companies to disclose any invegiatation processed and lawsuit pending or being active at the court in the note by bottom of the financial statement.
there are many pages so you have to scroll down to middle or near of end not sure.. will see big word Government Invegisation on the left.. WOW They talked about international call and employee call.. marketing etc
MY question is if FCC has right to tell PUrple to pay back and Did FCC have clarifying written policy ( do not or do call etc in the past ?
There's been so much junk in the blogsphere on the recent FCC ruling, inlcuding this one. If anyone wants to get the "big picture" on the FCC ruling, go to:
There is NO fraud happening within Sorenson. I have seen vlogs here and there talking badly about Purple, and the only "bad" things I'm seeing people say about Sorenson is that they are a hearing company, which is not true on so many levels. They have Deaf managers, they have Deaf installers they have deaf tech support, they have deaf customer care. The only reason some deaf people have left Sorenson is probably because they couldn't handle the corporate culture, and having a corporate culture is what keeps a business strong. Stop and face the music (or in this case, stop and smell the roses) move on, and accept the fact that Sorenson is not doing anything wrong. I see you are so desperate to bash Sorenson and it is doing you no good, except making you look like a fool.
March 4, 2010 - 9:17pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Truth is Sorenson is a dirty business, here one big example, this business went to a vendor business that serve people who are has disabiltiies challenges. Name of that company is STEP Agency Inc located in Ca. There was an agreement between executive director who is Hearing at STEP Inc and Sorenson business, they will provide VRS service through their VP to the consumers who were Deaf and has disabilties challenges. They agreed to installed the VP 200 in this consumer's home, in all of the hearing supervsior's office and SORENSON PAID for these consumers's internet services for a WHOLE YEAR in return use their VRS SERVICE! Sorenson went to an agency that had no clue what they were doing, assuming they were or wanting help the consumer who they serving, but instead their main purpose was to get them to use VRS mintues and how they do that BY USING MONEY to pay for their internet services. They also told them if do not use their VRS service then they will not pay for their internet services. During this process, few times some of the consumer have decided to try different VRS product, one the employee from Sorenson showed up at the cosnumer home and ask why he was not using the service. IT was explain to that consumer, if they choose to use other VRS servcie, it will lead Sorenson not paying for the internet service.
So please do not tell me Sorenson is a clean company, so my response to person who said ( stop and smell the roses) my question to you have you really smelt Sorenson's roses? If you did then you will certainly be in the same boat what am feeling.
Bottom line is this, FCC ruling has an impact on every VRS agency, trust me, six months from now and way things are going SORENSON will rule and that is a bad idea when you dealing with those type of people! I already saw this coming, when Sorenson proposed their new rate, clearly that was smart move on their part, by doing that it gonna cause serious ripple effect on every VRS agency that is left. Sorensen knew FCC ruling was gonna happen, while that ruling was happening they propose to cut their rate compare to other VRS. So what that mean, other VRS will be trapped be force to down size their VRS company, or shut down. This will clearly lead to Sorenson being only VRS.
SHAME ON SORENSON!!!
March 6, 2010 - 10:12pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Sorenson ran minutes.. Yeah Deaf employee call.....I saw Sorenson installer call Sorenson VI.. WHy not deaf to deaf or hearing employee who use ASL or whatever ! Tell FCC .. GO i dont like Purple go away. They really work hard and have many deaf employees ! I alway have been Sorenson user for five years and it is time for me to switch to another deaf-owned VRS deaf power ! It is time to wake up !
March 5, 2010 - 12:02am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Back before the FCC got deeply involved with regulating VRS companies, everyone was offering incentives for their business. HOVRS offered brown bag points, Sorenson gave VPs to hearing people. Gawd! You must be stuck in the mid-2000's! Sorenson no longer does anything illegal, yet Viable and Purple still did wrong even when FCC put those new rules in place. Time for you to wake up and smell the roses! Welcome to 2010! Where have you been? We don't need your old news!
March 5, 2010 - 6:24am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
FYI............... I just checked regarding to the 'bag bagging ' thing, it still happening as we SPEAK!!! Still happening and you saying it not happening! Please do your home work, I stopped by two of these consumer home just recently and clearly it still happening.
So wake up smell the roses!
June 4, 2010 - 11:30am — Jason Thomas (not verified)
So, the customer is accepting free internet- a free video phone, but does not want to use Sorenson's service? The fact of the matter is, in order to try to make VRS technology affordable and prevalent, Sorenson is using money from VRS minutes which could be going to line their own pockets- to pay for internet and hardware. Would you rather they keep every dollar of that reimbursement rate, and require people to purchase their own internet and video phones? When a hearing person goes to T-Mobile, and gets a Cell phone for 20 dollars with a contract, they don't expect to be able to transfer immediately to another service, and get their cell phone completely for free. Why do deaf users expect this? Sorenson is doing exactly what the FCC claims they want companies to do- expanding the prevalence of VRS. The issue is competitors want to just pay for interpreters, have Sorenson pay for connectivity, support, and video phone hardware, and then line their own pockets with the reimbursement. If they're so altruistic, why aren't they using some of their reimbursement dollars to provide service to deaf users, instead of trying to hold on to every penny for themselves, and put the burden of support onto Sorenson?
March 5, 2010 - 10:10am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
yeah deaf employee call was billed to FCC..by Soresnon ! Dave JOhnson bride one millions dollars to HEARING OYLMPIC that really is shameful ! why not you tell Sorenson maangment to donate money to deaf US OLYMPIC and why not ask them to create upper managment position for deaf !!!! like Purple and Vialable.. Vialbe and other donated money to deaf orgnaization. Soreson is no better than other !!! wake up ! bleep !
Comments
if the FCC implements this
if the FCC implements this rate, VRS service will dissapear.
RC,, I was watching your
RC,, I was watching your videos ,,, I just have to say something ,, it really bother me ,, u keep blaming sorenson ,, but really it is not all about sorenson ,, it is every one of vrs services ,, yeah Purple is not in that cat. t-3 yet,, but if FCC pass the cut rate then in couple yrs ,, Purple will fall in that cat. t3 , so what they going to do about that , they will too have same problem as sorenson , and it will keep getting worse , then by that time we wont have any vrs services for all the deaf people who really need it ,,, yeah i know everybody have their own ideas, but I still have not see any facts , or prove that sorenson is doing dirty work ,, u said that no one will come forward to claim what they said ,, cuz they dont have real proof, or real fact ,, it is just all words ,, of what they said . I could have make video of myself saying all of bad things about purple or whatever but no I dont do that without have facts first. If u or anybody dont like sorenson ,, that is fine ,, then dont use their service ,, u dont need to put them down without have facts. I am using sorenson and purple too ,, i dont see any different , but I still prefer sorenson,, I get better understanding from them about vp ,, when i got purple ,, did they explained ,, teach me about purple ,,no ,, they didnt do that ,, but I dont have to cut them down for that .
If nobody stand together and fight fcc,, for all the vrs services,, we will not have vrs services ,, it wont happen in few yrs , but give it more than 5 yrs ,, i can see there will be none vrs services for our future children,, is that how u want it??? Sorenson is asking fair and same pay as all another vrs services,, it just dont make sense ,, more custumers u have , less pay u get.
Also another comment that u said in another video about that sorenson higher office,, pres. v. pres., etc, ceo, that they are all hearing ,, ok , now tell me what about purple ,, are all emp. ,, pres., ceo , etc all hearing or not . It doesnt make any different at all !!!!
I would love to see what your answer to that ,, I would like to know what u are so againist , so angry at sorenson
New VRS Rates
If the FCC puts these new rates in place, VRS companies will lose money for each call that is made. If these rates are accepted by the FCC, VRS will no longer exist. This is not a matter of Sorenson or other companies, this is a matter of VRS. Save VRS by contacting the FCC, I already have!!!
Wake up everybody, stop
Wake up everybody, stop stabbing Sorenson Communications. Get to work on contacting FCC and show them your concerns about their proposed cut down VRS rates for this 3 year peroid. If they cut down VRS rates, VRS companies will shrink the interpretering services among various other services like videophones at discounted prices or free videophones from Sorenson. Do you want to get back to TYPING ON THOSE STUPID TTY/TDDs!!!!!!!!
thank you and question
Thank you for the apology re: the use of the Holocaust image
re: the FCC ruling -
does this new ruling prevent a VRS provider employee from using a DIFFERENT company than their own to place business VRS calls?
if not - they there is NO potential for Deaf employment discrimination and discussion closed and we have all just been a wee bit of hysteria for nothing
the rulings based on the "creative" billing and overt fraud seems justified - especially if VRS companies were using their OWN VRS service for internal face to face meetings or even internal calls just to rack up minutes. that is just unethical
there are LOTS of regulations for federal jobs and federally funded jobs - it seems requiring that VRS co. employees must use other VRS services seems just given the recent findings of creative corrupted accounting
re: fear mongering - if true, it is a shame and always leads to the down fall of the folks who perpetuate it EVENTUALLY so i hope that was not the motive
re: one company having a corner on the VRS market and that creating problems - could anti-trust / anti-monopoly laws apply here?
re: cow path - a direct route is often wise and useful but when direct routes are actually used to create dependence - folks will eventually end up wishing they took the long walk around. We could all use the exercise
peace
patti
apology and question
thank you for your apology re: the use of the Holocaust image in the past vlog
question - this new ruling. could a Deaf employee at one VRS company use a different VRS company to conduct telephone business?
i can appreciate why it might be somewhat sticky for a Soreson employee to be using a convo VR service or for Sprint to use Purple etc to discuss equipment or contracts but the interpreters have a sworn code of ethic
i have NOT read the ruling in depth but it looks to me that its purpose was to prevent ANY VRS company from padding the call minutes but using VRS for face to face internal meetings of which if they were an ordinary company theyd have to hire an interpreter for and also so that their employees were not making lots of calls just to rack up minutes for their own company
so i dont think the ruling (if i understand it right) is actually going to serve as a form of potential discrimination for the Deaf employees at these companies. it just means that these employees will have to use a different service other than their own companies to ensure that ethical, just, and appropriate use of minutes occurs
if im totally misunderstanding things - forgive me
re: one major company cornering the market - can any anti-trust or monopoly type of legislation apply to this situation
peace
patti
VRS Vlog #4: An Apology, Fear of Sorenson, and Fearmongering by
News flash for you people.
This whole event was never about deaf on staff at purple. This was about purple ginning their billable time by Telemarketing and with their own hires and then billing the time for their self generated telemarketing. This was a straight up bust and why they agreed to pay the money back, no contest. BUSTED!
this was released on tuesday
For Immediate Release
March 9, 2010
PURPLE COMMUNICATIONS ACKNOWLEDGES DEBT,
BEGINS PAYBACK TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY FUND
Washington, DC -- Purple Communications, a provider of telecommunications relay services, has signed an agreement with the FCC that puts in place the framework for repayment of funds that were inappropriately paid to the company. Under this agreement, Purple "acknowledges that the FCC [has stated that Purple has] a debt amounting to $18,459,064, and has determined not to challenge the FCC's position."
Under the agreement, the funds will be repaid to the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA), which administers the government fund that pays for relay services for deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers. In return for this commitment, the FCC will instruct NECA to release payment to Purple for relay services provided in the month of December 2009, and will continue to reimburse for legitimate relay services provided by Purple month by month.
"We're pleased that Purple has acknowledged its debt to the government and agreed to repay it," said Joel Gurin, Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC. "Because this agreement enables Purple to continue doing business, it will also benefit Purple's customers and employees. We look forward to Purple's fulfillment of this agreement in the months ahead."
This action follows a Declaratory Ruling, issued by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC on February 25, that reaffirms the FCC's rules regarding which calls can be compensated from the government relay fund. Relay services allow people with hearing disabilities to communicate with hearing people. In video relay service (VRS), this is done through an interpreter who can translate speech into American Sign Language and vice versa.
The Declaratory Ruling restates that government funds can only be used to pay for relay service for calls that involve at least one party in the United States. In addition, the Ruling restates that relay service for any calls made to or from the employees of a VRS provider - for example, for marketing or other business purposes - cannot be paid for at the minute-by-minute rate used to calculate payments for relay services provided to consumers. The costs of these business calls can, however, be submitted by VRS companies as part of the overhead that is used to calculate how the government will reimburse them.
The FCC calculated that Purple had been inappropriately paid by NECA for $18.4 million in calls that either began and ended outside the U.S., or that were made to or from Purple employees. Purple has agreed to work with the FCC on a plan to repay this amount over time, and will have 180 days to develop a repayment plan with the FCC. Purple has also agreed to make an initial payment after it receives its December payment from NECA. While this agreement addresses Purple's debt obligation to the government, it does not affect any possible government investigations into Purple's business practices.
- END -
RON BURDETT SORESON COMMUNCATION SPECIALIST
See see See Ron Burdett... I think your recent comment make Purple work HARDER !!! to stay alive..
I smelled the SOresons competition ! Whoa.. Chill OUT ! Leave all other VRS comapnies alone.
Ron should sit TIGHTLY and wait till any company permantely cease before you can make approriate move...
I rather see other VRS keeping alive.. RON.. you send a resume to Soreson for Upper maangment poistion
Sorenson does not embrace Diversity!!
My name is Jeff, am Located in the East Coast, am the president of my club that supports people of color. We are a club that been around for 20 years and we have meet with other leaders through out the states.
There will be V Logs, news information and we have 14 committee already set up. We as color people will be meeting at Gally University today, we planning on launching serious MOVE against Sorenson and we are calling out EVERY Color person in America who is Deaf and Hearing NOT TO USE SORENSON SERVICE period!!
Do NOT support this VRS Company!!! Why would you want to use a VRS service that does not support diversity or having color people in their leadership inner circle. After all Sorenson controls 85 percent of all VRS marketing, out the 85 percent, there's over 30 percent users that are color people and yet Sorenson can not hire a leader who is Black or Mexican that is DEAF in a supervisor role.
A date has been set for us to launch this plan which is March 26th, 2010. People of Color who are Deaf and Hearing will be contacted. Let's get this going, and show we mean BUSINESS!!!
Have you considered...
That not many Blacks or Hispanic people have APPLIED for management positions? It's not fair to blame the company when it's the people that have not applied.
Oh my goodness. Sorenson
Oh my goodness. Sorenson has ALOT of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, ETC working for them. Quite a few are managers. The director of the Spanish division is Hispanic. Sorenson also has domestic partnership rights. From what I've learned (accurate or not??), no other VRS company provides domestic partnership benefits. Instead of fighting against the company, why not work with them? Sorenson is always happy to work with their employees to improve the company and provide training for advancement. Come on! This is silly!
annoymous signer
I do not like idea of hiding your name behind "annoymous signer" That make me suspect that their blog is full of holes or lies
or other better wording " trouble making" My question is why they are afraid of stand up and speak out what they know or feel...
We are in land of freedom, so be honest of your speech instead of cowering behind Cowardly Annoymous Flag....
annoymous signer"
Some people rather be anoymous and dont want to give their name. There are some reason for that. they can be threatened in future becuae some employer know their name and wont hire them. or some people like to backbite on them. i know some blogger would backbite. I avoid RLM and Ridor. He is monstrous. I know him back to 1998 !. they dont respect people and want to be sadistic !
I see many blog posted by anoymous are true. I was anoymous and posted many blogs related to datastar, Purple and Bonheyno in the past . In the result Purple ended up agreeing to pay back 18 million to FCC.
I hope that you will understand why people do that
Why people don't want to share their name
I'd like to say that your comment is right on the mark. I'm going up against Sorenson because they continue to deny me
my rights. If I share what I mean by my rights, Sorenson will know who I am and of course their will be negative consequences.
I continue to fight for my rights, I do it for me and for all the others that work for Sorenson or are considering to do so. Don't allow them to bully you.
The only way things can be dealt with is by exposing the truth. As soon as I have a resolution to my situation, the information will
be out there. My hopes are that Sorenson learns that no matter how much money they have, they can't continue to treat people the
way they do. I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one that is going through this with Sorenson. Of course I'm very thankful for my job, however I'm not thankful for the struggles I've gone through with the company. It's just not right that a powerful company can treat their employees that ask for their rights to be met like they are cancer within their company. Come on!!! Everyone has rights and that should be recognized.
John D. Rockefeller: Chance Quotes
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession, a duty.
We all are responsible for our rights so we must continue to strive for the betterment of our fellow man by speaking up.
And you??
Didn't you just hide behind "anonymous signer" yourself?
anonoymous signer yourself
Yeah i agree w you ! Duh ! People have right to annoucne their name or not ..
800 lbs Gorilla
What happened to that 800 lbs Gorilla Vlog you posted yesterday? http://signcasts.com/node/288
800 lb Gorilla, where?
The ugly gorilla can be found at http://rc.blip.tv
RC
Probably a 800 lbs Gorilla
Probably a 800 lbs Gorilla shut this down.
Purple
Inspite of all the people's comments that were made about Purple, am happy to report Purple still doing good and we intend contiune to do good.
"live and learn"
You call this doing good?
Purple is still in the red and still owes alot of people (employees) money. Purple has laid off hundreds of workers. I don't call this doing good.
reduce opearting expense cost !
Purple need to work hard and develop how to make a good stragery of managing their finanical opeartion including revenue and operating cost. Purple must work hard on having a large group of high quality of interpreting and they must work hard how to produce more revenue. OF COURSE CUT high opearting expense and must restructe management pay and managment position. They have ten vice president positions ! too much for troubled companies.. Use brain to success the business ! or go back to school or training !
What if Sorenson does that
If Sorenson has many deafs in upper managment and deaf employee in superviosry postion and leader team etc.. Suppose total number is 40 percent of the managment, they would already have expereince exactly same as what Purple ! Sorenson would have to pay back to bleep FCC
Assumptions and where they come from.. see link
I understand how Kelby Brick's comments can be misleading. Let me tell you my perspective on the issue.
The FCC has determined in it's ruling on Feb 25th that no employee is allowed to place calls through any video relay service and have the FCC fund that call. Deaf or hearing employee. They do not specify. On or off the clock. They do not specify. SO if any person employed by any video relay service has made a call through the service the FCC wants that money back. They are ordering Purple to pay back money for that reason. This affects every video relay service. The reason people think that will leave Sorenson as the only surviving entity is because Sorenson has been around the longest and has deep enough pockets to absorb such a loss of money.
Below is a link to the specific information from the FCC website. You can see exactly what I'm talking about.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-314A1.pdf
Dave Johnson is a crook.
http://www.deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,35000109,00.html
Dave Johnson is the Vice President of Sorenson VRS making over 1 million dollars a year off deaf people. Check out link.
This has NOTHING to do with Deaf people.
Dave Johnson bribed officials and stuff like that related to the HEARING olympics. This was before video-phones and VRS even appeared. This has nothing to do with what Ryan is talking about or with Deaf people.
DONATE MONEY TO DEAF ORGANZIATION
I want to see Soreson to donate money for reseraching related to deaf need and education, etc Deaf US Olympic and Miss Deaf America or any other event.. We all will watch them if they dont donate I will switch to a deaf owned VRS DEAF POWER !
They already do.
And have for years.
a list of donation
can you please list donation. We want to know thank you
Just A Few Additions
I just would like to add a few things to my previous comment regarding R.C.'s 4th vlog. Also, I would like to mention that if the VRS company loses their service vendor, then they could replace for another vendor. For example, Purple Communications just lost DataStar as their service vendor in Florida as according to R.C.'s previous vlog. Now it is either for them to replace their vendor or to discontinue their service if they could not find another vendor. And hopefully, once they find a new service vendor, their manager would be able to do a better job for the company. I believe that Purple Communications, Inc. is not going out of business based on this small fling that occurred in Florida. I appreciate your attention to this matter and sharing this with us. Thank you!
RON BURDETT -Sorenson VP Community Relation
Ron you say that several several several several VRS companies are going to close and all of them face bankruptcy ! You flatter deaf customer!!!!!!!!! try to lure them OUT OF much alive deaf -owned company and other VRS company that has MUCH MORE deaf employee and deaf maangment than Sorenson has !
Duh Ron ! Stop fabricting and misjudge other VRS ! you have bad account ! twist and exxagerate I have been Soreson user for five years and am looking for a deaf-owned VRS or Purple !
I want YOU TO DELETE SORESON NEWS that Soreson sent out on March 3 . send anotehr video truthful message right away. that really bleep me OFF !
Goodness
What Ron Burdett said in his message is factual and based on evidence. There have been letters sent out about this from other VRS companies. Ron does not just make things up. Sheesh. Give the man some credit.
Ron said several companies
Ron said several companies may close and file bankruptcy
in fact of matter several companies have not done
Ron said customer were frightened to hear FCC s recent announcment and assured them by showing his grin and welcoming them to join with his extended arm and his gesture indicated come on
In fact of matter many were not frightened to hear ! VRS call center still are opend 24/7 !
I know you want to OUTCOmpete other nice try !
i want to thank you for informing a list of donation.
In Response to R.C. Regarding Relay System as A Whole
I am writing in response to R.C.'s #4 Vlog regarding some of the issues involving the entire relay system at FCC. I strongly agree with R.C. that FCC has another single vendor to attend to - call service system, which is similar to the relay system. The relay system as a whole has a variety of SERVICES provided for the deaf community such as Sorenson, SprintIP, Viable/SnapVRS, Purple Communications, and etc. Generally speaking, some of the owners do not realize that their managements are at stake when they cheat behind the owners' backs. For instance, the managers are responsible for the outbreak of the VRS cheating spree and the owners became scapegoats instead of the managers. So therefore, the owners are to be proven innocent before they take action against their own managers.
Please take a look at Sorenson's wise movement - they set up a total but complete protection for their business last October, so that we could continue to receive their service. I understand that they laid off some of the deaf employees from their turf, which caused a turmoil for the deaf community. However, the reason is PROBABLY because their former deaf employees were giving the confidential information about Sorenson's private operation to the other deaf-owned VRS companies. That could be considered as illegal and also could result a job loss. I cherish and value Sorenson's excellent services because so unlike the other relay services, they provided FREE VP devices ($250-$300 each); and they developed solid but secured foundation so that we could continue to have their life-lasting service. Also, their sacrifice of time for the deaf community has already shown a greater value - they are currently providing the top-quality of booth and workshop speakers, at-home installers, ASL technical support staff, and ASL customer service representatives to meet our needs. The owner of Sorenson learned ASL and supports us all the way! Of course, Sorenson has a really BIG heart!
$ 200 to $ 300 dollars free VP devices
Sorenson ordered a large volume of vp device so they got very low price at each of vp device.. Now all technological device - HDTV, laptop and other are SO cheap.. small HDTV cost 400 latop cost 400 PC cost less than 400.. rotor and modeum cost less than 30 dollars.. According to Moore s law chip and transmitter cost keep going down and down SO VP device should cost less than 20 dollars becuass Sorenson ordered a large volume of devices..
Sorenson is wealthiest VRS company of all becuae they have many other sercvie and sale for which they have been doing for years and years
Interestringly Sorenson brided monies to HEARING WINTER OLYMPIC 2002 and Sorenson was charged for bride WOW WHy not they donated money to deaf US OLYMPIC, Miss Deaf America event and reseraching program related to deaf and many deaf orgainzation that need monies.
They are wealthy and dont help any. They once donated to Gallaudet not enuff !
i know Sorenson billed FCC some amount inapproiately..I will tell FCC okay ...
VP200 Price
This issue, like you say, is volume, manufacturing any device is extremely expensive when the volume is low- which is definitely the case for the VP200 as opposed to for instance a commercial router. A company I worked for doing digital high-definition media payed over 400 dollars for a less sophisticated set top box, called the Amino, even though from my personal estimation the hardware was worth no more than 15 dollars. The volume of videophones in circulation is immensely lower than the volume of HDTVs or laptops sold.
Puhleeze! Get the facts right.
Sorenson did not bribe anyone during the Hearing Winter Olympics. Dave Johnson did---his actions had nothing to do with Sorenson at all!
Sorenson was, if I remember right, the biggest contributor (donate"er") to the Deaf Winter Olympics. Sorenson contributed alot of money to NAD. Sorenson is the biggest contributor to the RID-Region 5 Convention in utah this summer. Sorenson is the biggest contributor to the CIT conference in October. I don't know if Sorenson was the biggest contributor to ASLTA's national conference, but they donated alot.
Facts
I'm trying to comprehend why people are choosing words where it can hurt someone, especially Ryan here. Ryan can correct me if I am wrong, his intention is simple: To bring light to the dark secrets of the VRS industry. In other words, he's on the deaf community side and ensuring we're not being taken advantage of. For a long time, the upper managements have been using our "deaf bodies" for the sake of wealth, putting themselves first before our telecommunication rights.
In light of FCC's recent announcement, Ryan is probably the one of the few people who gets it and that the ruling is relatively simple:
- Internal calls between employees are not reimbursable.
- Business calls in benefit of the company (ie: business negotiations, business travels, etc...) are not reimbursable.
If I understand the per-minute costs, those internal and business-related calls are built into the costs.
If anybody got Convo Relay's recent email, they claim to be "in great shape". One has to wonder what the differences in regards to business practices between Convo Relay vs troubled VRS providers (ie: Purple).
Ryan, thank you for being on our side. Continue what you're doing and the community will later realize and appreciate your support. Give them some time to recover.
I am SO SHOCKED to find out
I am SO SHOCKED to find out that FCC launched an invegistation on Purple Communication INC in 2007 and 2008. I read the financial statement that they filed at SEC. The law requires all companies to disclose any invegiatation processed and lawsuit pending or being active at the court in the note by bottom of the financial statement.
http://www.irconnect.com/mc/irc/secfilings.mc?cmd=disp&id=7066528&type=HTML#D10Q_HTM_TX77229_7
there are many pages so you have to scroll down to middle or near of end not sure.. will see big word Government Invegisation on the left.. WOW They talked about international call and employee call.. marketing etc
MY question is if FCC has right to tell PUrple to pay back and Did FCC have clarifying written policy ( do not or do call etc in the past ?
How will this link effect to....
Wondering how will this (link below) effect between Deaf / VRS of Sorenson?
http://www.sorenson.com/press/press_release_full.php?pr_id=180
Blog on "No Confidence" in FCC...
There's been so much junk in the blogsphere on the recent FCC ruling, inlcuding this one. If anyone wants to get the "big picture" on the FCC ruling, go to:
http://fccruling.blogspot.com/2010/03/fcc-ruling-gives-me-no-confidence-in.html
I agree with "The reason you cannot find"
There is NO fraud happening within Sorenson. I have seen vlogs here and there talking badly about Purple, and the only "bad" things I'm seeing people say about Sorenson is that they are a hearing company, which is not true on so many levels. They have Deaf managers, they have Deaf installers they have deaf tech support, they have deaf customer care. The only reason some deaf people have left Sorenson is probably because they couldn't handle the corporate culture, and having a corporate culture is what keeps a business strong. Stop and face the music (or in this case, stop and smell the roses) move on, and accept the fact that Sorenson is not doing anything wrong. I see you are so desperate to bash Sorenson and it is doing you no good, except making you look like a fool.
Sorenson is fraud! Disagree I agree with "The reason you cannot
To WHom It May Concern,
Truth is Sorenson is a dirty business, here one big example, this business went to a vendor business that serve people who are has disabiltiies challenges. Name of that company is STEP Agency Inc located in Ca. There was an agreement between executive director who is Hearing at STEP Inc and Sorenson business, they will provide VRS service through their VP to the consumers who were Deaf and has disabilties challenges. They agreed to installed the VP 200 in this consumer's home, in all of the hearing supervsior's office and SORENSON PAID for these consumers's internet services for a WHOLE YEAR in return use their VRS SERVICE! Sorenson went to an agency that had no clue what they were doing, assuming they were or wanting help the consumer who they serving, but instead their main purpose was to get them to use VRS mintues and how they do that BY USING MONEY to pay for their internet services. They also told them if do not use their VRS service then they will not pay for their internet services. During this process, few times some of the consumer have decided to try different VRS product, one the employee from Sorenson showed up at the cosnumer home and ask why he was not using the service. IT was explain to that consumer, if they choose to use other VRS servcie, it will lead Sorenson not paying for the internet service.
So please do not tell me Sorenson is a clean company, so my response to person who said ( stop and smell the roses) my question to you have you really smelt Sorenson's roses? If you did then you will certainly be in the same boat what am feeling.
Bottom line is this, FCC ruling has an impact on every VRS agency, trust me, six months from now and way things are going SORENSON will rule and that is a bad idea when you dealing with those type of people! I already saw this coming, when Sorenson proposed their new rate, clearly that was smart move on their part, by doing that it gonna cause serious ripple effect on every VRS agency that is left. Sorensen knew FCC ruling was gonna happen, while that ruling was happening they propose to cut their rate compare to other VRS. So what that mean, other VRS will be trapped be force to down size their VRS company, or shut down. This will clearly lead to Sorenson being only VRS.
SHAME ON SORENSON!!!
Sorenson dirty !!!!
Sorenson ran minutes.. Yeah Deaf employee call.....I saw Sorenson installer call Sorenson VI.. WHy not deaf to deaf or hearing employee who use ASL or whatever ! Tell FCC .. GO i dont like Purple go away. They really work hard and have many deaf employees ! I alway have been Sorenson user for five years and it is time for me to switch to another deaf-owned VRS deaf power ! It is time to wake up !
That's old news!
Back before the FCC got deeply involved with regulating VRS companies, everyone was offering incentives for their business. HOVRS offered brown bag points, Sorenson gave VPs to hearing people. Gawd! You must be stuck in the mid-2000's! Sorenson no longer does anything illegal, yet Viable and Purple still did wrong even when FCC put those new rules in place. Time for you to wake up and smell the roses! Welcome to 2010! Where have you been? We don't need your old news!
Still disagree
FYI............... I just checked regarding to the 'bag bagging ' thing, it still happening as we SPEAK!!! Still happening and you saying it not happening! Please do your home work, I stopped by two of these consumer home just recently and clearly it still happening.
So wake up smell the roses!
Accepting Free Internet
So, the customer is accepting free internet- a free video phone, but does not want to use Sorenson's service? The fact of the matter is, in order to try to make VRS technology affordable and prevalent, Sorenson is using money from VRS minutes which could be going to line their own pockets- to pay for internet and hardware. Would you rather they keep every dollar of that reimbursement rate, and require people to purchase their own internet and video phones? When a hearing person goes to T-Mobile, and gets a Cell phone for 20 dollars with a contract, they don't expect to be able to transfer immediately to another service, and get their cell phone completely for free. Why do deaf users expect this? Sorenson is doing exactly what the FCC claims they want companies to do- expanding the prevalence of VRS. The issue is competitors want to just pay for interpreters, have Sorenson pay for connectivity, support, and video phone hardware, and then line their own pockets with the reimbursement. If they're so altruistic, why aren't they using some of their reimbursement dollars to provide service to deaf users, instead of trying to hold on to every penny for themselves, and put the burden of support onto Sorenson?
Sorry you wrong
I work for Sorenson and you are wrong. It does not happen. Homework is done. You are stuck in the past.
inappropriately billed to FCC !
yeah deaf employee call was billed to FCC..by Soresnon ! Dave JOhnson bride one millions dollars to HEARING OYLMPIC that really is shameful ! why not you tell Sorenson maangment to donate money to deaf US OLYMPIC and why not ask them to create upper managment position for deaf !!!! like Purple and Vialable.. Vialbe and other donated money to deaf orgnaization. Soreson is no better than other !!! wake up ! bleep !