FCC Releases Order Applying Local Number Portability Obligations to Interconnected Voice Over Internet Protocol Providers

On November 8, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission released a Report and Order, Declaratory Ruling, Order on Remand, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Order”) requiring interconnected voice over internet protocol (“VoIP”) providers to comply with local number portability (“LNP”) requirements and to contribute to shared number administration costs. The Order imposed new LNP requirements, all of which become effective 30 days after the Order is published in the Federal Register unless noted otherwise. Comments are due 30 days after publication of the Order in the Federal Register and reply comments are due 60 days after the publication date.

The Communications Practice has prepared this Client Advisory which discusses the LNP obligations to interconnected VoIP providers outlined in the Order.