On March 1, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission” or “FCC”) released the 2011 Form 499-A Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (“Form 499-A”) and Instructions for use by companies filing the Form 499-A by the April 1, 2011 filing deadline.

The 2011 Form 499-A Instructions contain numerous revisions to last year’s Instructions. The Bureau has substantially reorganized the Instructions and consolidated some of the discussions. This marks the first major revision to the Instructions since the FCC began using the Form 499-A in 2000.

Any entity preparing to submit the Form 499-A by April 1, 2011 should carefully and thoroughly review the revised Instructions before completing and submitting the Form. Revisions to the Instructions will not be readily apparent this year, and likely will require a detailed comparison of the 2010 and 2011 Instructions to identify all of the changes. Kelley Drye will be reviewing the Instructions in depth over the next few weeks. We will be available to discuss any questions you may have before filing the Form on April 1.

The FCC’s Public Notice announcing the revised Form 499-A and identifying some of the revisions can be found here.

Please be advised that attorneys in Kelley Drye & Warren’s Communications practice group are experienced in assisting clients in completing and submitting the FCC Form 499-A. For further information on any of the matters discussed herein, please contact your usual Kelley Drye attorney or any member of the Communications practice group. For more information on the Communications practice group, please click here.

FCC Releases Revised 2011 Form 499-A Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet and Instructions for April 1, 2011 USF Filing