Special services for persons with hearing and speech impairment
Everyone is entitled to obtain a reasonably priced and functioning telephone connection to their home or place of business. Persons with hearing or speech impairment are often not able to use telephone as other people do. Thus, they have the right to access services corresponding to a telephone connection: text messages and broadband connection enabling a video connection.
The quality of a broadband access enabling videoconferencing shall enable sign language video calls or remote interpreting services. Both the terminating and originating speed of a broadband connection services must be at least 512 kilobits per second (so-called symmetrical internet connection). Another quality requirement is that the data transmission delay must not exceed 150 ms.
YouTube-video: Information in sign language about the right to a broadband connection enabling a video connection (External link)
Persons with hearing and speech impairment are also entitled to obtain a telephone subscription for the purpose of sending and receiving text messages to their home. The possibility to send and receive text messages is important in order for the persons with hearing and speech impairment to contact the emergency response centre in case of emergencies.
YouTube-video: Information in sign language about the right to a subscription enabling text messages (External link)
Traficom has designated a universal service provider for areas with no commercial supply of services. The universal service provider is obliged to provide a functioning connection to the customer, if necessary. The right to these services means that the user must be able to use the subscription at least in one spot at home or place of business. This may require that the user may need to improve the reception by an antenna. Your operator can also assist you in improving the reception.
You can search for a universal service provider providing telephone services in your post code area.