What is Federal IP?
Federal IP is a service offered to Federal employees who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability which allows them to place relay calls to conduct government business over the Internet between locations within the United States. The service is also available for Deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled individuals in the general public who need to access communication with Federal agencies. Inbound international calls will be blocked or terminated.
Although Federal IP can be used for emergency calling, such emergency calling may not function the same as traditional 911/E911 services. By using Federal IP for emergency calling you agree that Sprint is not responsible for any damages resulting from errors, defects, malfunctions, interruptions or failures in accessing or attempting to access emergency services through Federal IP whether caused by the negligence of Sprint or otherwise.
FCC Advisory
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System Requirements
For best results in using Federal IP Relay the following applications are recommended:
Browsers:
Works with Microsoft Internet Explorer, Version 11.0 and higher, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Chrome.
Federal IP is a service offered to Deaf and hard of hearing Federal government employees that allows them to place relay calls over the Internet between locations within the United States. Inbound international calls will be blocked or terminated.
Emergency calls dial 911
Since December 31, 2008, persons with hearing and speech disabilities using Video Relay Service (VRS) or Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) - two forms of Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) - have been able to obtain ten-digit telephone numbers. This ten-digit number requirement was adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in conjunction with 911 call handling requirements for VRS and IP-Relay providers.
TRS calls made through the traditional telephone network automatically pass along to the called party signals that help identify the caller's location. As a result, if the call is about an emergency, relay providers know the caller's location and can route the call to the appropriate emergency personnel, including those close to the caller's location. The new rules ensure that VRS and IP Relay users are provided 911 service (including location information) that is comparable to the 911 service provided through the traditional telephone network.
FCC Advisory Page
Disclaimer: By selecting this link, you will be leaving the official Sprint operated federalip.us website.
Federal IP Relay - making an emergency call
- The caller will need to know as much as possible about their current location. This information is essential to locate the correct PSAP.
- Street address
- City, State, Zip Code
- Area code and Phone number from where they are located
- The caller should be prepared to provide an alternate means of re-establishing contact if they are disconnected from Relay. The caller should be prepared to provide an alternate method of calling them back such as a 10-digit phone number with a TTY or a VRS call back number.
- The caller will enter 911 as the number to dial.
- The call will be answered in a priority queue by a Relay Operator with emergency call-handling training.
- The Relay Operator will ask the caller for their location (Street Address, City, State and Zip Code), the area code and phone number where they are calling from and name.
- The PSAP number will be retrieved based on the caller's phone number. If the phone number is unknown, the PSAP number will be retrieved by using the caller's address.
- The call will be connected to the appropriate PSAP.
Language preferences (English and Spanish)
Text sizing and color - Users have the options to change text size in points (10 to 36) and text color with 8 preset colors.
Background color - Users have the options of 8 preset colors for User's and operator's background screen boxes. The ability to store user preferences
Clear Screen - The Clear Button removes text in each dialog box during a session with Operator.
Confirm (button) - After entering the dialing information press the "Confirm" button to Confirm Call information (i.e. dialing number, instructions and selected Federal Agency) and initiate the connection between the User and the Operator.
Need help? Contact Customer Support. - To speak with a Federal Relay Customer Service representative - click the button to initiate the link.
Dialing Instructions -- Enter any instructions for the Operator on how to handle a phone call(s).
Disconnect - The Disconnect Button terminates the link between the User and Operator or Federal Customer Service
GA (Go Ahead) - When pressed, it adds "GA" after the current cursor position in the User's dialog box.
Help -The Help Button offers Internet Relay instructions for each feature.
Number to Dial - Enter the phone number for the Operator to dial. 1. Enter the telephone number. It is required to enter a 10 digit number (area code plus 7 digits), then click "Confirm."
Print - The Print Button offers the ability to print the chat transcript to an assigned printer. The script will print in black and white only.
Save - The Users have the option to save the chat transcript as a file.
SK (Signing Off/Stop Keying) - When pressed, it adds "SK" after the current cursor position in the User's dialog box.
About Relay
Customer Service
What is Federal IP Relay service?
Federal IP Relay service involves a Relay Operator serving as the "ears and voice" on phone calls between those who are Deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-blind, or those with a speech disability and a hearing party. The Relay Operator speaks words typed by a Deaf user via the Internet and relays the hearing person's spoken response by typing back to the Federal IP Relay user.
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Is Federal IP Relay open 24 hours / 365 days?
Yes. Federal IP Relay is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year including Federal Holidays.
Federal IP Relay www.federalip.us
- (800) 877-8339 TTY / ASCII (American Standard Code For Information Interchange)
- (866) 377-8642 Voice
- (877) 877-6280 VCO (Voice Carry Over)
- (877) 877-8982 Speech-to-Speech
- (800) 845-6136 Spanish
- (866) 893-8340 TeleBraille
- (800) 877-0996 Customer Service (Voice/TTY, ASCII and Spanish)
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Are there any charges for using Federal IP Relay?
No. There is no call surcharge for relay assistance. Local and national calls are free of charge.
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Are there any limitations to number of calls or
length of time of calls made through Federal IP Relay?
No. There are no limitations on the number of calls or length
of time of calls made through Federal IP Relay.
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How are emergency calls handled through Federal
IP Relay?
Although Federal IP can be used for emergency calling, such emergency calling may not function the same as traditional 911/E911 services. By using Federal IP for emergency calling you agree that Sprint is not responsible for any damages resulting from errors, defects, malfunctions, interruptions or failures in accessing or attempting to access emergency services through Federal IP whether caused by the negligence of Sprint or otherwise.
FCC Advisory
Disclaimer: By selecting this link, you will be leaving the official Sprint operated federalip.us website.
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Can I use the internet to access Federal IP
Relay?
Yes. Internet access to the Federal IP Relay system is available by
going to www.federalip.us.
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When I reach an answering machine, can I leave a
message?
Yes. When you reach an answering machine, you may leave a
message with the Federal IP Relay number as well as your telephone
number so that they may call you back.
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What is the role of the Federal IP Relay Operator?
The role of the Federal IP Relay Operator (OP) is to voice everything you type and type everything that is heard. The OP serves as a "live" human telephone wire who serves as a link between Voice users and people who are Deaf, hard of hearing , or have speech disabilities that use Text Telephones (TTYs).
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How can I be sure that all Federal IP Relay calls
are kept confidential?
All Federal IP Relay calls are private and confidential. When
you hang-up, your entire conversation is then erased. No records of
conversations are kept or stored.
Prior to employment, every Federal IP Relay Operator signs a
Relay Center Code of Ethical Behavior agreement and undergoes a
Relay Operator code of ethics training.
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How can I make a commendation or complaint
regarding Federal IP Relay?
Your input regarding Federal IP Relay is valuable. Call the
Help Desk to provide commendations or feedback.
Customer Service: 800-877-0996 (voice/TTY)
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What are the hours of Federal Relay Customer Service?
The Federal Relay Customer Service are 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
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Are the Federal IP Relay presentations and service training available for the Federal Employees who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disability?
Yes. Please send an email at federalrelay@sprint.com to inquire for marketing materials and/or presentations.
Thank you for using the Federal IP Relay service.
