Upcoming Filing Deadline Reminders: Service Accessibility Compliance Certification and FCC Section 254(g) Certification

JSI reminds clients of two upcoming deadlines: (1) service accessibility compliance certifications (April 1, 2022) and (2) FCC Section 254(g) interexchange rate integration and rate averaging certification (May 1, 2022). Details are provided below.

Service Accessibility Compliance Certification

Telecommunications service providers have until April 1, 2022, to submit their certifications for the calendar year 2021 to the FCC regarding the accessibility of services for people with disabilities. The filing must be completed using the FCC’s Recordkeeping and Compliance Certification and Contact Information Registry at https://apps.fcc.gov/rccci-registry/. Specifically, providers must certify that they have established operating procedures to:

• Document efforts to consult with individuals with disabilitiesu037e
• Document the accessibility features of products and servicesu037e and
• Record information about the compatibility of such products and services with peripheral devices or specialized customer premise equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve access.

The FCC requires each company, and their affiliates that provide telecom services, to file the certifications. If previously submitted contact information remains current, the 2022 submission need only include the new compliance certification. Any updates to contact information must be made using the online registry within 30 days of the change.

FCC Section 254(g) Interexchange Rate Integration and Rate Averaging Certification

Each non-dominant provider of de-tariffed interstate interexchange service must certify by May 1, 2022, that it provides service in compliance with the geographic rate average and rate integration obligations pursuant to section 254(g) of the Communications Act. Geographic rate averaging prohibits a company from charging different rates for calls of similar geographic scope. Providers must certify annually that pricing policies are not discriminatory among rural and high-cost areas and that rates charged in each state are no higher than rates charged to any other state.

Clients who need assistance with either of these filings should contact Kim Waldvogel in our Maryland office at 301-459-7590 or via email by using the button below.