The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires any person that provides telecommunications services to or from the United States to receive an authorization under Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934. This authorization is called an International Section 214 Authorization, or, commonly, an International 214 License. The definition of "telecommunications services" is very broad and includes private line, switched long distance, prepaid services, calling cards and many similar services. Whether you resell the telecommunications services of another company or provide services using your own facilities, you will need the International 214 Authorization.

Why should I use an attorney to obtain my International 214 License from the FCC?

Mr. Lynch has filed scores of applications with the FCC for the International 214 License. As a result, he is very familiar with the FCC's filing requirements and understands the regulations. He also knows the FCC staff and the staff of the Department of Homeland Security that reviews the applications. To date, every one of Mr. Lynch's applications has been granted -- without requiring amendment. Most are granted within two to three weeks. That includes applications with foreign ownership. If you review the applications that have been filed by others, including those that advertise heavily, you will find that some have taken six or more months to be processed. And others are still not granted after more than a year. Be careful when choosing someone to assist with your application. Mr. Lynch has the experience, the contacts and the track record to get your application granted -- promptly and affordably.

How long does it take to get an International 214 License from the FCC?

If the application qualifies for "streamlined processing," and there is no objection to the application, either by individuals, entities or other branches of the government, the application will be granted after 14 days on public notice and a notice of the grant will be published by the FCC. If the application does not qualify for streamlined processing (because of certain foreign affiliations, for example), there is no time frame during which the FCC must process the application. Most applications submitted by Mr. Lynch qualify for streamlined processing and are granted within 20 days after you contact him (see below for how to begin the process). Note, however, that applications with foreign ownership are being heavily scrutinized by the Department of Homeland Security because of 9/11. If your company has more than 10% foreign ownership, call Mr. Lynch for more information.

How much does it cost to get an International 214 License?

The FCC charges a filing fee of $965. Mr. Lynch charges a flat fee of $950 to prepare the application and prosecute it at the FCC, whether or not you have foreign affiliations or ownership. Therefore the total is $1915. Mr. Lynch's flat-rated fee is one of the lowest offered for expert assistance and reflects Mr. Lynch's efficiency and experience in filing and prosecuting Section 214 applications. In addition, if you obtain your International 214 Authorization through Mr. Lynch, you will receive a comprehensive table of common regulatory requirements that includes a summary of the requirement, the code section applicable and the due date for any associated filing. The table also contains many web links to manuals and other helps in satisfying the regulatory requirements. This table was developed by Mr. Lynch and is free for his clients. It is worth hundreds of dollars of legal time and is an added value that is not available from others.

Once I have my International 214 License, what regulatory requirements apply?

The regulatory requirements that apply to a telecommunications provider depend on the type of service offered. For almost all carriers, the most time consuming and expensive regulatory obligation involves the Universal Service Fund (USF) and its associated Form 499 filings (499-A and 499-Q). Other regulations include Circuit Status Reports, the Regulatory Fee filing and the International Telecommunications Traffic Report. But these obligations do not apply to all service providers. If you obtain your International 214 Authorization through Mr. Lynch, you will receive a comprehensive table of common regulatory requirements that includes a summary of the requirement, the code section applicable and the due date for any associated filing. The table also contains many web links to manuals and other helps in satisfying the regulatory requirements. This table was developed by Mr. Lynch and is free for his clients. It is worth hundreds of dollars of legal time and is an added value that is not available from others. If you need assistance with making regulatory filings, Mr. Lynch can assist you in all aspects of compliance. For more information about the most important filing, the 499A, please click here.

I want to provide services using Voice-over-IP (VOIP). Do I need an International 214 License from the FCC?

The FCC does not presently regulate VOIP the way it regulates circuit-switched services, although it is considering additional regulatory requirements for VOIP services. Already, the FCC requires VOIP providers to comply with certain regulations that apply to traditional phone service, such as E911 and law-enforcement requirements under CALEA. And just recently, the FCC decided that VOIP providers that are interconnected to the PSTN must pay into the Universal Service Fund. Most VOIP providers that are serious about building a business obtain the International 214 -- in part because many large customers and even foreign countries with which they do business require that they have the International 214 Authorization from the FCC as an assurance of legitimacy. Obtaining the International 214 is for many VOIP providers a worthwhile investment.

Do I need a license from a state as well as from the FCC?

The type of service you provide will determine whether a state's regulatory requirements apply. Generally, if you are only providing international services, or services between states, state registration is not necessary. But the regulatory requirements of each state are different and you must check to make sure, especially if you are providing prepaid or calling card services. Mr. Lynch can assist you with state filings as well. Click here for more information.