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An International 214 Authorization is a license required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for anyone wishing to provide “telecommunications services” between the United States and international locations. This authorization is derived from Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. |
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES |
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Telecommunications services are defined as “transmissions between points specified by the user of information without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.” The analysis of whether a carrier is a provider of “telecommunications services” is a complex exercise that it involves interpreting federal case law. International communications providers include wireless service providers, prepaid calling card providers or resellers, virtual network operators, switched long-distance providers, facilities-based providers, and others.
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The Law Office of Raul Magallanes assists commercial communications providers to determine the extent of their regulatory exposure and whether services they offer qualify as “telecommunications services.”
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THE COST OF A 214 LICENSE |
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The FCC charges a fee of USD $965 for the 214 application. Most law firms charge their standard hourly rate to procure 214 authorizations. Other law firms charge a flat fee for preparing the 214 application. |
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The law office of Raul Magallanes charges a flat fee of USD $500 to procure a 214 license if all company owners are US citizens. For applications with more than 10% non-US ownership, the flat fee is USD $800.
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OTHER REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS |
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Aside from the International 214 license, carriers may be subject to several other regulatory requirements. One of the most important one is contribution to the Universal Service Fund (USF). Carriers subject to USF are required to file quarterly and annual reports. Carriers may also be required to comply with regulations on E911, CALEA (wire tapping), Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), and others. In addition, individual states may impose their own state telecommunications regulations. |
