Emergency Video Relay for regulated providers
Emergency Video Relay (EVR) helps people using British Sign Language (BSL) connect with UK emergency services through a BSL Interpreter. The interpreter translates what the caller is signing into spoken English, and vice versa.
This regulated service is being introduced on Friday 17 June 2022, and applies to all UK number-based interpersonal communication service providers.
Full details of this regulation are set out in the Ofcom statement on Emergency Video Relay (“EVR Regulation”).
Complying with the EVR Regulation
BT will assist providers across Industry with compliance by offering the option, where appropriate, for regulated providers to be able to ‘contract to provide’ EVR to their customers. This will apply relative to the three broad categories of Providers as follows:
CATEGORY 1
Network providers
Such as Fixed and Mobile Network Operators (MNO's).
Providers owning their networks and that have direct Interconnect Agreements with BT. These providers have been given the opportunity to update the terms of their Interconnect Agreements with BT to include provision for EVR.
CATEGORY 2
Providers that use Network Providers to service their customers
Such as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that are using an MNO’s network.
These Providers won’t have direct Interconnect Agreements with BT, but their Network Provider will (and will, in turn, have been given the opportunity to update the terms of their Interconnect Agreement to include provision for EVR). Providers in this category should confirm with their Network Provider whether it's interconnect agreement with BT has been updated to include EVR. Terms and any charges for EVR are expected to flow down from the Network Provider through the commercial arrangement already in place (such as the agreement between an MNO and MVNO).
CATEGORY 3
Other regulated providers
Providers supplying end user services, but no network access (such as Internet Service Providers, and AltNets).
As these providers don’t have interconnect agreements, BT is offering terms helping such providers demonstrate compliance with the EVR Regulation.
To sign up to these terms, provide your company details and accept the terms of the EVR Agreement by completing the form below.
Important information
-
What is Emergency Video Relay?
Emergency Video Relay (EVR) helps people using British Sign Language (BSL) to connect with UK emergency services through a BSL Interpreter. The interpreter translates what the caller is signing into spoken English, and vice versa.
This regulated service is being introduced on Friday 17 June 2022, and applies to all UK number-based interpersonal communication service providers.
Full details of this regulation are set out in the Ofcom statement on Emergency Video Relay (“EVR Regulation”).
-
What is BT’s role?
BT is currently the Call Handling Agent (CHA) for all emergency voice 999 calls across all UK networks.
BT will accept all incoming Emergency Video Relay calls from the Ofcom approved EVR Provider – Sign Language Interactions Ltd (SLI) – and connect these calls to the relevant Emergency Authority.
BT has also agreed to contract with SLI to provide EVR to all regulated providers on a wholesale basis. This means BT will accept all charges from SLI for setting up and running the service, and apportion these charges out to regulated providers, including to its own lines of business (such as EE and Plusnet).
-
How will BT apportion charges to regulated providers?
From Friday 17 June 2022, BT will apportion charges amongst Communication Providers (CPs) with an existing commercial and billing relationship.
This will be based on CPs’ customer usage of emergency voice 999 calls (for example, a surcharge rate of x pence per 999 call will be added to monthly interconnect invoices). This model of charging will be regularly reviewed and is subject to change.
-
How can my business contract provide EVR if we don’t have a commercial interconnect agreement with BT?
All regulated providers are responsible for their own compliance with the EVR Regulation. This covers a range of areas including the requirement to zero rate data for EVR calls.
BT will assist providers across Industry with compliance by offering the option, where appropriate, for regulated providers to be able to ‘contract to provide’ EVR to their customers. This will apply relative to the three broad categories of Providers as shown above.
