TDS Long Distance Advantage With TRS is a basic plan that is best for residential customers who make few interstate long distance calls. This plan features a low 17 cents per minute rate for all continental US interstate calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no monthly fee with this plan.
Telephone Relay Service (TRS) provides a way for the hearing or speech-impaired to communicate with someone on a standard telephone. To obtain TTY equipment, customers must contact their state's Public Service Commission.
Using equipment commonly known as TTD, TTY, TT or text telephone, along with the help of a Communications Assistant, people who cannot speak or hear can type and read their telephone conversations. The Communications Assistant translates text messages into verbal speech for the hearing participant and verbal speech into text for the impaired participant.
The telephone relay system is funded in large part through a small surcharge assessed on all telephone lines.
- Relay Service itself is free to persons who are hearing or speech impaired.
- 711 Calls to the Relay Provider are free, even if the call to the Relay Provider is long distance.
- Local calls (based on the customer's calling area) are free, regardless of whether the call to the Relay Provider is long distance.
- The customer may select a long distance carrier. Charges will reflect the customer's carrier and call plan of choice.
When connecting to Relay Service, the TTY user will be asked to identify a long distance carrier for the call. If the user creates a Customer Profile with their Relay Service provider, they'll no longer be required to name a long distance carrier each time they use the service. Having a Customer Profile ensures the customer will be billed properly for calls made through the Relay Service.
If a customer does do not have a long distance carrier on their account, they will be default billed $0.05 per minute by TDS.
A Customer Profile allows the TTY user to set their calling preferences, such as long distance carrier, customized greetings, plus additional details and user options.
- The TTY customer should contact TDS Telecom to choose a long distance provider and call plan. If customer wants a long distance carrier other than TDS, they'll need to contact that carrier to select a call plan.
- The TTY customers must contact their state's Relay Provider to create a customer profile with an assigned long distance carrier. If they do so, they will avoid incurring default long distance charges and will not be asked to "choose" a long distance carrier on each call.
Link to Relay Service Providers by state: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs_contact_list.html
Check out our Service Area Map to see where we offer TDS Long Distance.
Placing a TRS Call
From TTY User to a Standard Telephone:
- Access the Relay System by dialing: 711
- Relay Communications Assistant (CA) will answer. Text will appear on the TTY screen identifying that call has been answered
- Caller types the area code and phone number they wish to call.
- The customer begins their conversation once call is connected.
From a Standard Telephone to TTY User:
- Access the Relay System by dialing: 711
- A Communications Assistant (CA) will answer by saying,
"(__insert state__) Relay CA#0000. Go ahead."
- Caller provides the area code and phone number they wish to call.
- The caller begins their conversation once call is connected. It is important that the caller speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
TDS Long Distance Advantage With TRS is a basic plan that is best for residential customers who make few interstate long distance calls. This plan features a low 17 cents per minute rate for all continental US interstate calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no monthly fee with this plan.
Telephone Relay Service (TRS) provides a way for the hearing or speech-impaired to communicate with someone on a standard telephone. To obtain TTY equipment, customers must contact their state's Public Service Commission.
Using equipment commonly known as TTD, TTY, TT or text telephone, along with the help of a Communications Assistant, people who cannot speak or hear can type and read their telephone conversations. The Communications Assistant translates text messages into verbal speech for the hearing participant and verbal speech into text for the impaired participant.
The telephone relay system is funded in large part through a small surcharge assessed on all telephone lines.
- Relay Service itself is free to persons who are hearing or speech impaired.
- 711 Calls to the Relay Provider are free, even if the call to the Relay Provider is long distance.
- Local calls (based on the customer's calling area) are free, regardless of whether the call to the Relay Provider is long distance.
- The customer may select a long distance carrier. Charges will reflect the customer's carrier and call plan of choice.
When connecting to Relay Service, the TTY user will be asked to identify a long distance carrier for the call. If the user creates a Customer Profile with their Relay Service provider, they'll no longer be required to name a long distance carrier each time they use the service. Having a Customer Profile ensures the customer will be billed properly for calls made through the Relay Service.
If a customer does do not have a long distance carrier on their account, they will be default billed $0.05 per minute by TDS.
A Customer Profile allows the TTY user to set their calling preferences, such as long distance carrier, customized greetings, plus additional details and user options.
- The TTY customer should contact TDS Telecom to choose a long distance provider and call plan. If customer wants a long distance carrier other than TDS, they'll need to contact that carrier to select a call plan.
- The TTY customers must contact their state's Relay Provider to create a customer profile with an assigned long distance carrier. If they do so, they will avoid incurring default long distance charges and will not be asked to "choose" a long distance carrier on each call.
Link to Relay Service Providers by state: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs_contact_list.html
Check out our Service Area Map to see where we offer TDS Long Distance.
- In-State rates may vary.
- ISDN Customers: please be aware that there are limitations if customers sign their ISDN lines up with TDS Long Distance. ISDN-BRI will be limited to 56K and ISDN-PRI is not supported by our vendor at this time.
- Pricing and availability are subject to change. Not all services available in all areas. Additional charges may apply. Please contact TDS Telecom with any questions.
- TDS Long Distance Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of TDS TELECOM.