On November 19, 2024, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a Public Notice reminding wireless providers of the upcoming deadline to file FCC Form 855 certifications. Wireless service providers are required to submit their annual hearing aid compatibility (“HAC”) certification for the 2024 calendar year by midnight EDT on Friday, January 31, 2025. The filing window will open on January 2, 2025.
The Commission’s HAC rules require wireless service providers to offer hearing-aid compatible handset models to consumers and to provide information regarding the compatibility capabilities of their handset models to consumers and the Commission. As a reminder, the current HAC benchmark for non-de minimis providers is 85%.
Certifications must be submitted via the electronic interface for the FCC Form 855 and should include the following information:
- The name of the signing executive and their contact information;
- The company(ies) covered by the certification;
- The FCC FRN;
- The website address of the page containing the required handset model information (for non-de minimis service providers); and
- The percentage of handsets offered that are HAC compatible. Providers will derive this percentage by determining the number of hearing-aid compatible handsets offered across all air interfaces during the year divided by the total number of handsets offered during the year.
Instructions for the Form 855 can be accessed here.
Please Contact Us if you have any questions.
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