On May 20, 2009, our firm advised clients of the Federal Communications Commission‘s (“FCC” or “Commission”) recent extension of Section 214(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (“I-VoIP”) providers. Specifically, the Commission

The next-scheduled PIU Report to underlying transport providers is due no later than August 15th. This report will cover the Second Quarter of this year (April 1st – June 30th). Pursuant to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) requirements, all prepaid calling card providers must report

The deadline for filing FCC Form 477, the Broadband and Telephone Competition Report, is September 1st. As the FCC pursues implementation of a national broadband plan, data collection through Form 477 will play a significant role for years to come. As

Good news! All clients who provided long distance and bundledtelecommunications between March 2003 through January 2006 are still eligible for the Federal Excise Tax (“FET”) refund. Specifically, clients who purchased telecommunications services, either at wholesale, as a VoIP provider, for

This is the final reminder to clients, the deadline for filing FCC Form 499-Q with the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) for the Second Quarter is August 1st. All non de minimis providers of telecommunications services and interconnected VoIP services are required to

Reminder to clients, the deadline for filing FCC Form 499-Q with the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) for the Second Quarter is August 1st. All non de minimis providers of telecommunications services and interconnected VoIP services are required to complete Form 499-Q and

Reminder to clients providing international telecommunications services, the deadline to file International Traffic Reports with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) is July 31st. All carriers providing international telecommunications services between any U.S. point and any non U.S. point – i.e. clients required to

Based on our firm‘s preliminary analysis, in its desperate attempt to shore up the TRS Fund contribution base, we believe NECA may have exceeded its lawful authority by assessing TRS contributions on carriers providing “wholly” international telecommunications service (communications with

The deadline for filing FCC Form 499-Q with the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) for the Second Quarter is August 1st. All non de minimis providers of telecommunications services and interconnected VoIP services are required to complete Form 499-Q and report actual revenue

The deadline to file International Traffic Reports with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) is July 31st. All carriers providing international telecommunications services between any U.S. point and any non U.S. point – i.e. clients required to possess an FCC Section 214 License –

The FCC recently announced that the proposed Federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”) contribution factor for the Third Quarter of 2009 will increase to 0.129 or 12.9%.  This amount, the highest contribution factor thus far, is a substantial increase from the Second Quarter 2009 contribution

On June 4, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (“NAL”) against Teleplus, LLC (“Teleplus”) for willfully and repeatedly failing to obtain an international section 214 authorization before providing international telecommunications service. For

On June 4, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Public Notice requesting comments on the competitive provision of the 911 network to Public Safety Access Points (“PSAPs”) and other public safety agencies. This policy issue arose in the

We recently informed you that Charles Helein and Jonathan Marashlian, partners at The CommLaw Group, would be presenting an interactive audio-conference to address current tax and regulatory issues affecting Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services on June 17, 2009. The audio

Pursuant to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) regulations, all prepaid calling card providers must file quarterly Certifications with the FCC (“FCC Certification”) attesting to compliance with specific percentage of interstate usage (“PIU”) reporting and Universal Service Fund (“USF”) requirements. For more

Charles Helein and Jonathan Marashlian, partners at The CommLaw Group, will be presenting an interactive audio-conference to address current tax and regulatory issues affecting Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services.The audio conference, entitled VoIP Taxation and Regulatory Fees on the Rise: Your

The FCC recently solicited comments on the National Exchange Carrier Association‘s (NECA) annual payment formula and fund size estimate for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund. The TRS Fund fiscal year begins July 1st and ends June 30th each year. Based on

On February 12, 2009, on behalf of the Ad Hoc Coalition of International Telecommunications Companies (“Coalition”), The CommLaw Group filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling (“Petition”) with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”). On May 7, 2009, the FCC placed

On May 4, 2009, California‘s Attorney General (“AG”) and the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) jointly filed a complaint in San Francisco County against Total Call International (“TCI”), a prepaid calling card (“PPCC”) carrier/distributor. The complaint alleged violations of the

On May 13, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a Report & Order extending Section 214(a)‘s discontinuance requirements to providers of interconnected VoIP (“I-VoIP”) services. Pursuant to the Order, all I-VoIP providers must now comply with the FCC‘s discontinuance