StandUp Wireless Accessibility Policy

Last Updated: July 08, 2024

This policy provides information about how individuals with disabilities can use Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a StandUp Wireless, LLC’s (“StandUp Wireless” or “our”) wireless services. Hearing, visual, or speech impaired individuals interested in applying for a specially equipped StandUp Wireless wireless device must contact the Company and specify their needs to a representative. StandUp Wireless will attempt to assist such customers in obtaining and making available a device that meets their needs.

Accessibility of our Services and Devices

The wireless devices offered by StandUp Wireless may function using different operating systems. For information on the accessibility features available with the operating system in some of the devices StandUp Wireless offers, please consult the manuals included in those devices and visit the following links:

Hearing Aid Compatibility

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted specific hearing-aid compatibility rules for cell phones to ensure that manufacturers develop phones that are compatible with hearing aid devices and assist hearing device users in finding those phones. Specifically, the FCC relies on standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to help consumers identify which cell phones are compatible with hearing aids. Under the 2019 ANSI Standard, a phone is hearing aid compatible if it is labeled as such. The 2011 ANSI Standard uses a rating system: compatibility with telecoil hearing aids is based on a ‘T’ rating (T1 through T4), while compatibility with microphone hearing aids is based on an ‘M’ rating (M1 through M4).

The higher the M or T rating assigned to a phone, the less interference there is to hearing aid users—phones that receive a rating of 3 or 4 are deemed to be hearing aid compatible.

Today, most cell phones are designed to be compatible with hearing aids under the ANSI Standards, and therefore reduce or completely eliminate interference that some hearing aid device users may experience when using a cell phone. Interference occurs when the electronics within the hearing aid device pick up and demodulate radio frequency (RF) or electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted by the cell phone or other sources, which may result in a buzzing, humming, or whining noise for users with hearing aid devices while using certain cell phones. In addition to the hearing aid compatibility of the device, the amount of interference experienced will vary depending on the design of the hearing aid.

While the ANSI Standards are a useful tool for consumers when choosing the right cell phone, they do not guarantee that a phone will not cause interference with a particular hearing aid.

Additionally, while phones have been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that they use, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in phones that have not yet been tested for use with hearing aids. If you use a hearing aid device, it is important that you try the different features of your phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Your hearing device manufacturer or hearing health professional can help you with questions about your hearing device. You can also consult the manufacturer of your phone for more information on hearing aid compatibility. Additionally, if you purchase a cell phone from us and it is not working with your hearing aid device, please contact StandUp Wireless Customer Service using the contact information identified below or your wireless phone retailer about phone return or exchange policies. StandUp Wireless’s phone and exchange policies are set forth in the Terms and Conditions.

All handsets offered by StandUp Wireless are hearing aid compatible under the ANSI standards. StandUp Wireless currently offers the following hearing aid compatible wireless phones:

Manufacturer Model Launch Date End of Life Date FCC ID HAC Rating
Vortex Z22 Jan-23 Jan-24 2ADLJ-Z22 -
Vortex HD65 Jun-23 Feb-24 2ADLJ-HD65 M4/T3
Vortex HD65+ Sep-23 Aug-24 2ADLJ-HD65PLUS M4/T3
Vortex Z23 Sep-23 Mar-24 2ADLJ-Z23 -
Vortex CG65 Nov-23 May-24 2ADLJ-CG65 M3/T3
Vortex HD65 Select Dec-23 Aug-24 2ADLJ-HD65SELECT M3/T3
Vortex HD65 Choice Jan-24 Aug-24 2ADLJ-HD65CHOICE M3/T3
Vortex HD65 Ultra Feb-24 Aug-24 2ADLJ-HD65ULTRA M4/T3
Vortex ZG65H Feb-24 - 2ADLJ-ZG65 M4/T3
Vortex HD67 Apr-24 Jun-24 2ADLJ-HD67 Pass 2019 ANSI Standards
Vortex HD68 Apr-24 Jul-24 2ADLJ-HD68 -
Vortex A24 May-24 - 2ADLJ-A24 Pass 2019 ANSI Standards
Vortex J24 May-24 - 2ADLJ-J24 Pass 2019 ANSI Standards
Vortex ZG55 May-24 - 2ADLJ-ZG55 Pass 2019 ANSI Standards
Vortex ZG65 Pro May-24 - 2ADLJ-ZG65Pro -
Vortex NS65 Jun-24 - 2ADLJ-NS65 Pass 2019 ANSI Standards
Vortex PG65 Jul-24 - 2ADLJ-PG65 Pass 2019 ANSI Standards
Vortex C24 Oct-24 - 2ADLJ-C24 Pass 2019 ANSI Standards

Chart last updated: 12/09/2024

All phones currently offered by StandUp Wireless can be viewed at https://standupwireless.com/support/consumer-information/

For additional information about hearing aid compatibility with wireless phones, see the FCC Guide at www.fcc.gov/hearing-aid-compatibility-wireless-telephones or the wireless industry association’s consumer resource guide at www.accesswireless.org/resources-for-consumers/hearing-resources. For more information about accessibility features available in current and older phones, visit the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative’s website at www.gari.info.

Telecommunications Relay Service

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is a communication service that permits individuals with a hearing or speech disability to use the telephone system via a text telephone (TTY) or other device to call persons with or without such disabilities through a TRS center. Different forms of TRS include Text-to-Voice TTY, Voice Carry Over (VCO), Hearing Carry Over (HCO), Speech-to-Speech (STS), Spanish Text-to-Voice TTY, Captioned Telephone, IP Captioned Telephone, IP Relay, Video Relay Service (VRS), and Real-Time Text (RTT). More information about the available types of relay service can be found on the FCC’s TRS website at www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs.

TRS can be reached by dialing 711 as stated on the FCC’s TRS website at 711 for TTY-Based Telecommunications Relay Service | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov). In the event of an emergency, TTY users should call 911 directly.

TRS is available in all 50 states and all U.S. territories for local and long-distance calls. TRS providers are compensated for the costs of providing TRS from either a state or a federal fund, and there is no charge to TRS users other than standard calling rates.

Using Text Telephone (TTY) with StandUp Wireless’s Services

A TTY is a special device that enables individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired to use the telephone to communicate. TTY works by allowing people to type messages back and forth to one another instead of talking and listening. A TTY is typically required at both ends of the conversation, but TRS can translate conversations for text-to-voice calls.

The FCC requires digital wireless carriers to have the capability to transmit a call from a wireless phone that is connected to a TTY. While the FCC mandate pertains specifically to calls made to 911, the ability to make a call to 911 typically means that users can also complete a call to virtually anyone, virtually anywhere, provided the party on the receiving end of the call also has a TTY or the call is translated through TRS. All StandUp Wireless service plans and most wireless phones it offers will work with a TTY.

TTY calls, including those to 911, cannot be made while using IP-based calling, such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Wi-Fi Calling. StandUp Wireless’s voice calls may at any time be provided using VoLTE provisioned by our underlying network operator. Customers with communications disabilities who need to call 911 while using IP-based calling should use IP Relay, Video Relay, or IP Captioned Telephone Service to reach emergency personnel. Where available, customers may also send a text message to 911 directly (text-to-911).

Using Real-Time Text with StandUp Wireless’s Services

Real-time text (RTT) allows real-time transmission of text messages as they are being composed, making these messages more equivalent to typical voice conversations. RTT also allows voice communication at the same time as text communication (simultaneous voice and text). Unlike other types of texting methods, RTT is similar to a voice call in that an RTT call must be placed, the other party must answer the call for communication to occur, and the parties must hang up the call when it is over. Customers using RTT-enabled devices may be able to communicate using RTT with individuals who are also using RTT-enabled devices on a network that supports RTT. Using RTT while connected to StandUp Wireless’s wireless network will consume your voice minutes.

Using Other Telecommunications Relay Services with StandUp Wireless’s Services

StandUp Wireless’s data services do not support the use of IP-based telecommunications relay services including Video Relay Service, IP Relay, and IP Captioned Telephone Service.

Customer Support

If you have questions about how individuals with disabilities can use StandUp Wireless’s wireless services, please contact StandUp Wireless customer service using the following information:

Email: Accessibility@standupwireless.com

Phone: 1-800-544-4441 during normal business hours: Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm EST.