# Telecommunications Relay Service ASCII Format Requirement
> **Federal Communications Commission** · Final rule. · Published 2026-09-10 · Effective 2026-10-13 · 91 FR 57513
## Document
- **Document number:** 2026-18478
- **Category:** accessibility
- **Federal Register citation:** 91 FR 57513
- **CFR reference:** 47 CFR 64
- **Publication date:** 2026-09-10
- **Effective date:** 2026-10-13
- **FCC docket:** CG Docket No. 03-123, GN Docket No. 25-133
## Abstract

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) amends its rules to eliminate the requirement that Text Telephone (TTY)-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) be capable of communicating in the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) format. By removing this outdated regulatory mandate, the Commission relieves TRS providers of the obligation to maintain costly and obsolete ASCII-compatible hardware and software systems. Eliminating this requirement will reduce inefficiencies, preserve the integrity of the TRS Fund, and allow providers to redirect resources toward modern relay technologies, all without adversely impacting functional equivalence for consumers who rely on TTY-based TRS.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/10/2026-18478/telecommunications-relay-service-ascii-format-requirement)
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