FCC Form 499a is the form for USF contributions.
The FCC has determined that Internet is an Information Service not a
telecom service and has thus unregulated all parts of it. (See Brand-X
case for a more detailed explanation).
Transport, Voice, and Inter-connected VoIP Providers must pay into USF
(file a 499a).
For more info about the recent FCC USF VoIP ruling:
http://www.tmcnet.com/voip/1006/regulation-watch-plan-of-action-for-voip-usf-contributions.htm
Regards,
Peter
RAD-INFO, Inc.
Matt Liotta wrote:
We have been advised that providers of internet services are not
required to file form 499. However, we were additionally advised that
providers of transport services are required to file form 499. We
provide transport services in addition to internet services and as
such file form 499. I believe we are one of the few if not the only
unlicensed fixed wireless operator to file 499.
-Matt
chris cooper wrote:
Does a WISP fall under the designation of a telecommunications
carrier even though it isn’t required to file form 499-a?
Under definition found at USC title 47,153.40 , it appears that an
ISP and in particular a WISP offers telecommunications services and
is deemed a “telecommunications carrier” .
From The USAC website:
To be a telecommunications carrier, the carrier must (1) allow the
customer to transmit information of its own design and choosing,
without change in the form or content of the information, and (2)
provide that capability for a fee directly to the public, or to such
classes of users as to be effectively available to the public (i.e.,
hold itself out to serve indifferently all potential users).
USAC defines a carrier as above. They also require that Eligible
Telecommunications Carriers file 499-A. As an industry, if we supply
telecommunications services, as defined above, directly to a school
or library and don’t file the 499 – is that considered breaking the
rules? Im caught between a rock and the horns of a dilemma….
Chris
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