The Commpliance Group : Hot Topics in Telecommunications

Hot Topics in Telecommunications

Keeping on top of the dynamic and rapidly changing federal and state regulatory landscape can be a daunting task. The Commpliance Group is dedicated to helping your business stay ahead of the competition by providing in-depth analysis of the latest regulatory developments affecting all aspects of the telecommunications and VoIP telephony industries.

Below are samples of previous regulatory updates and Client Advisories. Please contact our firm if you wish to begin receiving the most current regulatory updates and analysis from our firm.

Quarterly FCC PIU Officer Certification due by June 30th

Pursuant to Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") regulations, all prepaid calling card providers must file quarterly Certifications with the FCC ("FCC Certification") attesting to compliance with specific percentage of interstate usage ("PIU") reporting and Universal Service Fund ("USF") requirements.

FCC Form 477, Broadband and Telephone Competition Report, is due March 1st

Reminder to client, the deadline for filing FCC Form 477, the Broadband and Telephone Competition Report, is March1^st. As the FCC pursues implementation of a national broadband plan, data collection through Form 477 will play a significant role for years to come. As such, we anticipate aggressive FCC enforcement of this deadline.

Quarterly FCC PIU Officer Certification (for Third Quarter) due by December 31st

The next-scheduled FCC Certification must be filed no later than December 31^st. This FCC Certification covers the Third Quarter of this year (July 1^st - September 30^th).

Quarterly Carrier PIU Reports (for Third Quarter) are due November 15th

The next-scheduled PIU Report to underlying transport providers is due no later than November 15^th. This report will cover the Second Quarter of this year (July 1^st - September 30^th).

ALERT: FCC Form 499-Q for the Third Quarter is Due November 1st

The deadline for filing FCC Form 499-Q with the Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") for the Third Quarter is November 1^st.

FCC International Traffic Report due July 31st

The deadline to file International Traffic Reports with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") is July 31^st.

FCC Form 499-Q (2nd Quarter) Is Due August 1st

The deadline for filing FCC Form 499-Q with the Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") for the Second Quarter is August 1^st. All non de minimis providers of telecommunications services and interconnected VoIP services are required to complete Form 499-Q and report actual revenue data for the Second Quarter of this year (April 1^st - June 30^th) and projected revenue for the Fourth Quarter of this year (October 1^st - December 31^st).

Quarterly FCC PIU Officer Certification due by June 30th

FCC Solicits Comments on TRS Fee Factor

The FCC recently solicited comments on the National Exchange Carrier Association's (NECA) annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund. The TRS Fund fiscal year begins July 1^st and ends June 30^th each year. Based on projected TRS funding requirements for the upcoming fiscal year, NECA, the TRS Fund administrator, proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.01137 (1.137%), which reflects an increase over last year's contribution factor of 0.01012 (1.012%).

FCC Solicits Comments on FY 2009 Regulatory Fees

The FCC recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking soliciting comments on the Fiscal Year 2009 Regulatory Fee. The FCC specifically proposed a fee factor of .00342 (0.342%) for interstate telecommunications service providers ("ITSPs"), a minor increase from the FY 2008 fee factor of 0.00314. This fee factor is applied against the interstate and international revenue reported in Form 499-A for the prior year.

Quarterly Carrier PIU Reports Due May 17, 2009

Pursuant to Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") requirements, all prepaid calling card providers must report percentage of interstate usage ("PIU") factors and call volumes on which these factors were calculated to those carriers from which they purchase transport services by the 45^th day of each calendar quarter. The next-scheduled PIU report to underlying transport providers is due no later than May 17, 2009.This report will cover the first quarter of 2009 (January 1, 2009 - March 31, 2009).

Section 64.1900 Geographic Rate Averaging Certification due May 1, 2009

The deadline for filing the Geographic Rate Averaging Certification ("Certification") with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") is Friday, May 1, 2009. All interstate long-distance service providers, including interstate prepaid, are required to file this annual Certification with the FCC.The Certification must be signed by an officer of the company under oath.

FCC Form 499-Q (1st Quarter 2009) -- Due May 1, 2009

The deadline for filing FCC Form 499-Q with the Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") for the First Quarter of 2009 is May 1, 2009. All providers of telecommunications services and interconnected VoIP services are required to complete Form 499-Q to report actual revenue data for the First Quarter of 2009 (January 1^st - March 31^st) and projected revenue for the Third Quarter of 2009 (July 1^st - September 30^th).

Quarterly FCC PIU Officer Certification Due No Later than March 31, 2009

Pursuant to Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") requirements, all prepaid calling card providers must report percentage of interstate usage ("PIU") factors and call volumes on which these factors were calculated to those carriers from which they purchase transport services by the 45^th day of each calendar quarter. In addition, prepaid calling card providers must file quarterly certifications with the FCC ("FCC Certification") attesting to their compliance with certain PIU and Universal Service Fund ("USF") reporting requirements.