Navigating the FCC’s 911 Reliability Requirements
The FCC’s 911 Reliability Requirements establish important guidelines to guarantee the dependability of emergency services across the country. These regulations mandate that 911 Service Providers undertake measures to safeguard against service disruptions. Compliance with these requirements is vital for maintaining access to emergency assistance and upholding public safety standards nationwide. In 2013, the FCC adopted […]
FTC Sues to Stop XCast Labs from Facilitating the Delivery of Millions of Illegal Robocalls, Even After Being Warned on Multiple Occasions
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued to stop a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider, XCast Labs, Inc. (XCast Labs), that continued to funnel hundreds of millions of illegal robocalls through its network, even after receiving multiple warnings. The Department of Justice filed the complaint in the Central District of California on the FTC’s behalf. […]
FCC Form 477, Broadband and Telephone Competition Report, is due September 1st
The deadline for filing FCC Form 477, the Broadband and Telephone Competition Report, is September 1st. All clients providing wireline and wireless broadband internet access, local exchange, and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services must file Form 477. There are no regulatory exceptions or de minimisqualifications associated with this filing. Therefore, all clients providing any of […]
Is Your Telecom Company Wasting Money on “Common Carrier Compliance” for its “Private Carrier” Services?
DISCLAIMERS: This Advisory has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not for the purpose of providing legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC and you. You should not act upon the information set forth herein without seeking experienced counsel. FCC PRONOUNCEMENT CLARIFYING THE SCOPE AND CONTOURS OF THE PRIVATE […]
Time to Revisit Your Company’s Compliance with CALEA and Associated FCC’s Regulatory Requirements is Now
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau investigations arising from referrals or other information supplied by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) appear to be increasingly expansive. While the initial or primary issue leading to an Enforcement Bureau investigation may be related to one of the universal service programs administered by USAC, such as the […]
Reminder of Upcoming 911 Compliance Deadline
As we approach the end of 2020, certain manufacturers, vendors and service providers should be gearing up to comply with the requirements of RAY BAUM’s Act, starting on January 6, 2021. Under the FCC’s rules, new installations of fixed multiline telephone services (“MLTS”), telephone services and VoIP must be capable of transmitting “dispatchable location” information […]
Facilities-Based International Carriers Must File Route Lists with FCC by November 14, 2018
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) recently released filing requirements for certain carriers holding international Section 214 authority, which requires that these carriers file and maintain international route lists as laid out in Section 63.22(h) of the FCC’s rules. The filings must be submitted no later than November 14, 2018. This filing requirement was adopted in […]
8th Circuit Overrules Minnesota VoIP Regulations Finding VoIP Is Information Service
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (“8th Circuit”) recently issued a controversial decision concluding that Charter’s VoIP offering qualifies as an “information service” under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“the Act”), preempting state regulation of the service. Charter had filed suit against the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“MPUC”) in federal district court in 2015 arguing […]
Economic Nexus and Wayfair’s Impact on Cloud Communications Industry: Part III of III
Authors: Allison D. Rule, Partner and Communications Taxes & Fees Practice lead at Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, The CommLaw Group Jacqueline R. Neff, Senior Managing Attorney Seth L. Williams, Associate Attorney In Parts I and II of this series, we explored the Wayfair decision and the variations among economic nexus laws already in place in […]
Economic Nexus and Wayfair’s Impact on Cloud Communications Industry: Part II of III
Authors: Allison D. Rule, Partner and Communications Taxes & Fees Practice lead at Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, The CommLaw Group Jacqueline R. Neff, Senior Managing Attorney Seth L. Williams, Associate Attorney With Wayfair, the Supreme Court did the easy part, paving the way for states to impose sales tax collection requirements on remote online sellers. […]
Economic Nexus and Wayfair’s Impact on Cloud Communications Industry: A Three-Part Series
Authors: Allison D. Rule, Partner and Communications Taxes & Fees Practice lead at Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC, The CommLaw Group Jacqueline R. Neff, Senior Managing Attorney Seth L. Williams, Associate Attorney By now, businesses with exposure to state and local sales taxes have almost certainly heard about the Supreme Court’s recent South Dakota v. Wayfair […]
Are You Aware of Backup Power Requirements Enforced by the FCC?
In February, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will begin enforcing more stringent backup power rules. Providers of facilities-based, fixed residential voice service, including fixed applications of wireless service offered as a residential service, that are not line powered (“Covered Providers”) should pay close attention to the rules. Historically, copper-wire based systems were reliable during power […]
