Interconnected VoIP Providers Seeking to Provide Voice Services in California

• Interconnected VoIP providers are required to obtain an operating authority from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to offer voice services in California.
  • Non-facilities-Based (also known as resellers) interconnected VoIP providers may register using the Simplified Registration Process pursuant to Public Utilities (P.U.) Code § 1013.
  • Facilities-based interconnected VoIP providers must file an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) pursuant to P.U. Code § 1001.

 Additional information regarding how to obtain authority to operate in California may be found here.

Interconnected VoIP Providers Granted a Utility ID via the Informal VoIP Registration Process

• Interconnected VoIP providers granted an informal interconnected VoIP registration are required to continue to pay surcharges to the Commission.
• Any VoIP provider granted an informal interconnected VoIP registration may request to surrender its Utility ID number by sending an email to CDcompliance@cpuc.ca.gov and providing the information listed below. All outstanding payments must be paid prior to surrendering the Utility ID number.
  • Utility Name and Utility ID;
  • Effective Date of the request;
  • Verify that no customers are impacted by the request;
  • Documentation proving that the VoIP provider has reported and remitted all outstanding charges owed from the Commission; and
  • A statement that the VoIP provider has no outstanding customer complaints filed with the CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch (CAB), citations issued and/or enforcement actions by CPUC; or if one or more citations or enforcement actions have been issued, penalties and/or fines have been paid and the citation(s) and the enforcement action(s) have been closed.
   
•  MLTS: E911 Requirements for Service Providers of Multi-Line Telephone Systems