The CommLaw Group believes that an “informed” client is the very best client. Knowledge is power – the power to predict regulatory trends, to anticipate risks, and to use your knowledge to make adjustments that will help keep your company out of harm’s way. And when our Firm has important or exciting news to announce about developments at our organization, including awards, achievements, hirings and various presentations & webinars, we will share information through News announcements.
On November 5, 2018, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai sent letters to phone providers demanding that they respond within two weeks with their plans to implement a robust call authentication system to combat illegal caller ID spoofing. Chairman Pai’s letters asked
Strafford, the host of our upcoming webinar on ways the Wayfair decision impacts contractual relationships, has graciously made ten (10) complementary registrations available to our firm. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, contact Jonathan S. Marashlian
One of The CommLaw Group’s experienced telecom tax attorneys, Jackie Neff, will be speaking at an upcoming Strafford live webinar, “Structuring Cloud Computing and Other Technology Agreements After Wayfair” scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST. For more details and
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
On September 28, 2018, California became the first state to enact legislation that governs cybersecurity measures on Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and it is sure to have implications nationwide. The law will take effect on January 1, 2020 and
Connect Michigan (CM), through its relationship with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), recently distributed a Questionnaire to all certified Telecom and registered I-VoIP providers requesting new and updated data to create a database of voice providers in Michigan. CM’s
The Cloud Communications Alliance (“CCA”) is a peer association dedicated to the growth of the cloud communications industry. CCA provides the forum industry leaders need to discuss key topics and advance their mutual or individual goals. In the process, CCA
Each quarter, USAC releases a newsletter called the 498/499 Spotlight. We at Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC and our affiliated consulting firm, The Commpliance Group, eagerly anticipate these newsletters, as they often contain information and guidance that help us to flesh
The FCC has been steadily stepping up its enforcement of its regulations on LED equipment. Many LED suppliers are facing steep fines and losing their equipment certifications. Ronald E Quirk, Head of the IoT Practice at The CommLaw Group, and
The FCC issued a notice in the Federal Register on September 19, 2018, publishing the August 15, 2018 Rural Call Completion Order that adopted rules to: establish a registry for intermediate providers; require intermediate providers to register with the Commission
For the first time in history, the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) Universal Service Fund (“USF”) contribution factor will likely top twenty percent (20%) in the fourth quarter of 2018. The FCC’s Office of Managing Director proposed a contribution factor of
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
Keep Track of TCPA Developments at the FCC by Downloading Our August 2018 TCPA Compliance Monitoring Report Admittedly, ringless voicemail probably is not the final frontier for the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). As long as technology allows business to
The FCC recently released an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to transition a substantial portion of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (“Band”), currently allocated to Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) and Fixed Service (“FS”) operators, to terrestrial wireless broadband use.
To all clients reporting a majority of revenue as Non-Interconnected VoIP — Our firm recently became aware of a new FCC Form 499 revenue reporting “Red Flag” that may indicate USAC will soon target certain Non-Interconnected VOIP service providers for
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
THE MYTH: Government approval is not required for the sale or acquisition of a telecommunications carrier or its assets (e.g., customer base). THE REALITY: Government approval and/or notification is required for transactions involving a telecommunications carrier and certain assets, including
THE MYTH: Retailers of resold telecommunications services do not need to register and/or pay taxes and regulatory fees if their Supplier has already done so. THE REALITY: Retailers of resold telecommunications services remain responsible for registration and payment of taxes
THE MYTH: Data and Internet Access services are “the same,” and neither is regulated nor subject to transaction taxes (sales, use, excise, utility, etc.). THE REALITY: The belief that “Data” and “Internet Access” services are exempt from regulation and taxation is
On May 4, 2018, USTelecom, the trade association that represents LECs, in particular AT&T and Verizon, filed a petition for forbearance (i.e. relief) from certain provisions of the Communications Act that require the major ILECs to open their networks through
