Each Kiesling office has expertise in both the state and federal regulatory environments. Employees are continually active in current proceedings and anticipating the impacts of upcoming developments. 

Kiesling consultants are intimately familiar with state statutes, regulations and policies applicable to wireline and wireless carriers. We provide guidance on initiatives such as the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), Universal Service, provision of service to persons with disabilities, and unauthorized customer changes ("slamming").

Because of our extensive FCC experience, we have the ability to help clients reach their goals within the framework of the FCC's rules. When appropriate, we counsel clients on the feasibility of obtaining rule waivers or of asking the FCC to initiate rulemakings to change certain rules or policies.
 
-          State Compliance Areas
o   Annual Revenue Reporting
o   State Commission Annual Reports
o   Reporting of Consumer Protection, Complaints and Remediation
o   Quality of Service reporting
o   Guidance on Contractual Arrangements
Interconnection, Affiliate Agreements, Pole Attachments, Right of Way
o   E911 Emergency Service Compliance
o   State Universal Service Fund Calculations and Reporting
o   Telecommunications Relay Service Reports (TRS)
 
-          Federal Compliance Areas
o   Carrier Registration and Licensing Requirements
o   Universal Service Reports/Waivers
o   NECA Cost and Average Schedule Filings
o   Special Access and Ethernet Pricing (Wireless backhaul)
o   Telecom Act Compliance (Interconnection Negotiation, Porting Relationships, VoIP)
o   Telecommunications Relay Service
o   CALEA Compliance
o   CPNI Annual Certification
o   Federal Trade Commission Red Flag Rules Reporting Program
o   FCC Semi-annual Number Use Forecasts Reports (NRUF)
o   NANPA Semi-Annual CIC Utilization Reports
o   International Traffic Reporting (FCC Section 43.61 filings)
o   Full Cost Support including Quick Looks, Feasibility Studies, Cost Conversions
o   USAC Audit/Review support
o   COE CPRs, Cost Allocation Manuals/Plans
 
If you would like more information regarding State or Federal Compliance requirements you face, please send an email to regulatory@kiesling.com. 

National Broadband Plan Released

The FCC has released the National Broadband Plan. The Commission proposes the connection of 100 million households to affordable 100-megabits-per-second service, affordable access in every American community to ultra-high-speed broadband of at least 1 gigabit per second at anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals, and military installations,  making 500 megahertz of spectrum newly available for licensed and unlicensed use, move U.S. adoption rates from roughly 65 percent to more than 90 percent and make sure that every child in America is digitally literate by the time he or she leaves high school. The Commission also proposes to bring affordable broadband to rural communities, schools, libraries, and vulnerable populations by transitioning existing Universal Service Fund support, up to $15.4 billion over the next decade from the high cost fund to a Connect America Fund targeted to broadband.  To read the entire plan Click Here.

FCC Kicks Off Universal Service Reform

The FCC released their first NOI and NPRM today which looks to make dramatic changes to the Universal Service Program.  The goal is to transition Universal Service support from legacy telephone service to broadband communications; however, it appears more likely to shift USF away from a majority of the rural areas.  For more information on the NOI and NPRM Click Here.

 

OPASTCO Summer Convention and Trade Show

July 24 - 29 in Seattle, WA

 
Kiesling Accounting Seminar

The Kiesling Annual Accounting Seminar is scheduled for Aug 5-6 at the Grand Harbor in Dubuque, IA!  Information about the hotel, registration, agenda, and a copy of the brochure can be found here.