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Although some states have deregulated the telecommunications market entirely, some merely require registration while others require full petitions with notarized affidavits, supporting
documents, and submission of tariffs. Tariff documents outline a provider’s rates, terms and conditions for the services it offers. In addition to state requirements, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) requires registration and international authorization of some types of providers.
State telecommunications licenses require varying degrees of preparation and interactions with state officials. State filing fees typically range from $35 to $400 per license.
Applications can take anywhere from one month to one year to be processed by a state. Several states require hearings as part of the certification process. This requirement can add
significant delays in processing time. It is important to note that some states require that in-state local counsel be used to file the applications and represent the applicant on a
limited basis to obtain certification.
The FCC and state ongoing compliance requirements include a range of regulatory assessments and reporting obligations. Most states require some kind of data request and annual
regulatory fees as ongoing regulatory compliance. Requirements vary state by state. Failure to comply may result in civil penalties including large fines, and suspension or
revocation of the license.
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