Annual FCC Regulatory Fees Due August 31, 2010

Annual FCC Regulatory Fees

Most federal licensees and other regulated entities must pay regulatory fees to offset costs associated with the FCC’s enforcement, public service, international, policy, and rulemaking activities. Fees amounts change each year and vary by type of activity. Of particular interest is the Interstate Telecommunications Service Provider Fee which must be paid by most companies.

Regulatory fees must be paid no later than 11:59 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, on August 31, 2010. Regardless of how fees are paid, i.e., online, wire transfer, check, etc., payment must be received at the Commission’s St. Louis, Missouri address by the date and time above. Failure to meet the payment deadline could result in late payment penalties of 25% being applied. Details on types of fees, fee codes and payment methods and options can be found on the FCC’s website here.

The Commission will not issue bills for the regulatory fees and it is the licensee’s responsibility to determine the fees owed (regardless of the amount posted on the Fee Filer system). All licensees and regulatees must utilize the FCC’s Fee Filer system to coordinate paying any fees. Fee Filer is now available for payment of 2010 regulatory fees and it can be found here.

Please be advised that attorneys in Kelley Drye & Warren’s Communications practice group are experienced in addressing Federal Communications Commission reporting issues and are able to assist clients in paying regulatory fees. For further information on any of these filings, please contact your usual Kelley Drye attorney or any member of the Communications practice group.