The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau again reminds telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers of their obligation to file, by March 1, 2014 deadline. Ensuring annual reports certifying compliance with the Commission’s rules protecting Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI).

Network Telephone Services meets with clients and network members to discuss CPNI regulations which include protecting some of the most sensitive personal information that carriers maintain about their customers as a result of their business relationship.

Wanting to assist member companies and qualifying clients, Network Telephone Services made affiliates aware of violations of others in prior years when many companies (non NTS clients) either failed to file entirely or filed certificates that were in violation of FCC rules in material respects.

Telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers may satisfy their certification filing obligation in several ways.  Because the CPNI rules provide important consumer protections, the Commission has taken enforcement action against telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers that were not in compliance with the requirements, and we intend to continue to strictly enforce the rules.

Network Telephone Services reminds clients and affiliate companies that failure to comply with the CPNI rules and the annual certification requirement, may subject them to enforcement action, including monetary forfeitures of up to $160,000 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation, up to a maximum of $1,575,000.2 False statements or misrepresentations to the Commission may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under Title 18 of the U.S. Code