The FCC recently announced a proposed contribution factor of 0.0000365 (0.00365%) for the North American Numbering Plan (“NANP”) for the fiscal year beginning July 1st. The proposed NANP contribution factor reflects an increase from last year’s contribution factor of 0.0000302.
If the FCC takes no action by within the next two weeks, the NANP contribution factor shall automatically be deemed approved. Once effective, the NANP contribution factor will remain in effect until June 30th of next year.
Annual NANP Fund support payments must be paid by all wireline telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP service providers. Welch LLP, the NANP Fund administrator, will apply the NANP contribution factor against all contributors’ telecommunications revenue, as reported in the recently filed FCC Form 499-A. There is no de minimis exemption for NANP contribution.
Details and Important Reminders
- Duty to Pay
A regulated carrier’s obligation to pay NANP support contributions exists by virtue of having provided intrastate, interstate, or international telecommunications services or interconnected VoIP services during the past year.
- Minimum Payment
The minimum annual contribution to the NANP Fund continues at $25. The minimum contribution is owed by all carriers holding Filer IDs during the past year, even if a carrier reported no revenue in its annual Form 499-A. In addition, filers with no end-user revenue (e.g. wholesale service providers) must pay $25.
- Late Filing Penalty
Neustar will assess a late filing penalty of $100 to any carrier filing FCC Form 499-A after the April 1st deadline.
Consequences of Non-Payment/Delinquency
Late payment charges will be applied to delinquent accounts not paid by the invoice due dates. In addition, a carrier who owes money to the NANP Fund will be considered delinquent and in “red light status” if payment is not made by the due date reflected on the NANP invoice.
Furthermore, clients are reminded that if an annual contributor has not made its payment, including any late payment assessments, within ninety (90) days of the NANP invoice due date, the delinquent amount will be transferred to the FCC pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
