On January 15, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) released an Orderrevising the annual reporting requirements for international telecommunications providers. The Order adopts certain proposals put forth in a 2011 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”). Importantly, the FCC extended its streamlined requirements to providers of “VoIP connected to the PSTN.” The Commission defined this term to include interconnected VoIP providers and providers of “one-way VoIP.” The Commission did not take a position as to whether VoIP services qualify as common carrier services. Nor did the FCC specifically address issues related to Section 214 authority for VoIP providers.
The FCC instructed the International Bureau to make certain changes to its filing system (IBFS) necessary to implement the revised reporting requirements. Once such changes are made, the Commission will announce the effective date of the new requirements in the Federal Register.
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