Proposed NANPA Fund Contribution Factor of 0.00853% Announced by FCC (More than 1/3 Higher than Prior Year Factor of 0.00535%)
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau recently announced the proposed North American Numbering Plan (NANP) administration fund size estimate and contribution factor for the fiscal year October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2023). Proper funding of NANP administration ensures that consumers will continue to have access to the numbering resources essential to the […]
FCC Warns Voice Providers to Immediately Comply with STIR/SHAKEN Rules or Face Enforcement Action
On August 1 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) initiated an e-mail blast to “non-facilities-based” voice service providers (“VSPs”) that are not listed in the Robocall Mitigation Database as STIR/SHAKEN compliant; directing that they must be fully compliant by August 31, 2022. Those VSPs that are not compliant by that date will be subject to […]
MachineGenius Settles with FCC for $400K Over Non-Compliant TRS User Eligibility Self-Certifications
MachineGenius— a conditionally certified Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (“IP CTS”) provider — has recently entered into a Consent Decree with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”), ending an investigation into the company’s violations of the Commission’s IP CTS user eligibility certification rules. In collecting the required eligibility self-certifications, the company neglected to […]
FCC Orders All U.S. Voice Providers to Immediately Mitigate Robocall Traffic from Auto Warranty Scammers; Failure to Heed FCC Directive Could be Embarrassingly Costly
On June 21, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) issued an Order, directing all U.S.-based voice service providers (“VSPs”) to immediately investigate and stop carrying traffic from a known robocall scam marketing auto warranties made by or on behalf of the following: (1) Roy Cox, Jr.; (2) Aaron Michael Jones; (3) their individual […]
Form 477 & Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Program Compliance Deadline Fast-Approaching; FCC Goal of Ensuring Greater Data Accuracy Brings Greater Burdens, Complexity, and Consequences for Filers
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is updating its current broadband mapping with more detailed and precise information on fixed and mobile broadband via the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) Program. BDC submissions are required by all facilities-based fixed and mobile broadband Internet access providers and due by September 1, 2022. While the new BDC Program filing […]
FCC Proposes Updates to Intercarrier Compensation Regime Rules to Eliminate Access Arbitrage; Includes Potentially Onerous and Costly Compliance Reporting Duty Imposed on Entire IP-Enabled Services Industry Sector
In 2019, the Commission adopted the Access Arbitrage Order, in which it revised its Access Stimulation Rules to prohibit local exchange carriers (LECs) and Intermediate Access Providers from gaming the intercarrier compensation regime by inflating traffic volumes to maximize access charge revenues. To crack down on new ways carriers are manipulating traffic to evade the […]
Texas USF Assessment Set to Increase from 3.3% to 24% on August 1, 2022
Solix, the administrator for the Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF), recently announced a massive increase to the TUSF contribution factor, which shall be raised from 3.3% to 24% effective August 1, 2022. As a result of Order 50796, the ‘Remittance and Support Worksheet for TUSF Recipients (RMT1)’ and ‘Remittance Worksheet for Non-TUSF Recipients (RMT2)’ within […]
FCC Proposes to Fine Verizon $100K for Failing to Produce Accessibility Records
Last week, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (“NAL”) proposing to fine Verizon $100K for failing to produce adequate records concerning the accessibility of its Premium Visual Voicemail service to customers with disabilities. In a previous client advisory, we reported the Commission granted a consumer complaint alleging that Verizon’s voicemail service is inaccessible, […]
FCC Broadens TRS Fund Contribution Formulas to Add Intrastate VRS and IP Relay Revenues; Updates TRS Contribution Factors
On June 30, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) released an Order expanding the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund (the “TRS Fund”) contribution base for Video Relay Service (“VRS”) and Internet Protocol Relay Service (“IP Relay”). The Order updates FCC TRS rules to require telecommunications carriers, as well as both interconnected and […]
FCC Establishes Registration Grace Period for VRS and IP CTS; Proposes Further Changes to VRS Regulations
On June 30, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) released an order and notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) collectively, the “Order” — updating the Commission’s regulations governing Video Relay Service (“VRS”) and Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (“IP CTS”), and proposing additional regulatory changes under these telecommunications relay service (“TRS”) programs. The […]
California Public Utilities Commission Muddies the Waters on State Regulation of Nomadic I-VoIP
As a result of the California Public Utilities Commission’s (“CPUC”) elimination of the simplified interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (“I-VoIP”) registration form, nomadic I-VoIP providers entering the California market are left without a means to register and remit applicable California Public Purpose Program (“Program”) surcharges. The Commission has recognized its oversight and plans to initiate […]
FCC Rules Voicemail Must be Accessible to Persons with Disabilities and Continues Cracking Down on Violators of Accessibility Laws
In its latest disability access enforcement action, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) granted a consumer complaint (the “Complaint”) alleging that Verizon’s Premium Visual Voicemail service is inaccessible to persons with disabilities, in violation of Commission rules implementing Section 255 of the Communications Act. The FCC determined that Verizon failed to show that […]
FCC Announces Proposed USF Contribution Factor of 33% for Q3 2022
The Federal Communications Commission announced the proposed universal service contribution factor for the third quarter of 2022 will be 33%, a whopping ~10% increase from the prior quarter! If your company has any questions or would like to engage in a Communications Taxes & Fees “Optimization” or learn about other Operational Best Practices to potentially […]
FCC & Canadian Counterpart Sign MOU to Combat Illegal Robocalls
On June 6, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) issued a News Release, announcing that the FCC had signed Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”). to combat illegal robocalls. Referring to robocall scams as “an international problem,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel pledged to “work closely with partners […]
FCC Imposes New Regulations on Gateway Providers
On May 20, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) released a Sixth Report & Order and Seventh Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“R&O” and “FNPRM”), imposing additional regulatory requirements on the gateway providers that are the point of entry for foreign-originated illegal robocalls into the United States, and soliciting comments on, among other […]
Robocall Mitigation Webinar: How Voice Carriers Can Survive Imminent Regulatory Challenges, Law Enforcement Risks, and Killer Fines
Everybody hates robocalls, but no entity despises them more than the Federal Communications Commission. During the past two years the FCC has made robocall mitigation Priority One, and voice carriers of all shapes and sizes have been subject to more and more stringent compliance obligations, with strict penalties for carriers that violate the rules. CCA […]
