The FCC has granted CTIA’s request for waiver of the text-to-988 requirements in section 52.201(a) of the FCC’s rules to allow covered text providers to route covered 988 text messages to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) without translation to the Lifeline’s toll free access number. The Lifeline provides confidential and free support to individuals in suicidal and emotional crisis through a national network of crisis centers connected by the Lifeline’s toll free number. The waiver would: (1) provide individuals texting the Lifeline for assistance with an accessible experience; (2) give providers flexibility in creating requirements for texting to 988; and (3) minimize technical requirements for covered text providers.
