FCC Section 214 Authorization
All communications providers (including resellers and Mobile Virtual Network Operators, wireless service providers, prepaid calling card providers, facilities-based providers and others) seeking to offer international commercial service originating or terminating in the United States must first obtain Section 214 authority from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before providing service.
The Law Offices of Thomas K. Crowe, P.C., based in Washington, D.C., prepares and files (at competitive flat rates) FCC applications for Section 214 authority on behalf of diverse service providers.
Our flat fees are as follows:
- Applications for providers with no foreign ownership: $475.
- Applications for providers that have foreign ownership: $1,300.
If you receive a reasonable fee quote from another firm for the same type of filing, inform us and we will attempt to match or beat the offer, consistent with quality service expectations.
Beyond our flat fee, an FCC filing fee (presently $1,050) applies to 214 applications. Assuming the application is accepted for streamlined processing, it should be granted (unless removed from streamlined processing by the FCC as discussed below) in approximately thirty days.
Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted hundreds of Section 214 applications, including applications referred to other Executive Branch departments (such as the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Justice) or contested by competitors. All applications for Section 214 authority are sent to the Executive Branch for review. Applications involving foreign ownership typically are subject to a more careful review which means that they will likely not be acted on within the thirty-day time period. This review process can add two to three months (or more) to the total application processing time. Applicants seeking Section 214 authority that are owned even in part by foreign companies or individuals will want to work with our attorneys to carefully navigate this process. For more information see http://tkcrowe.com/renewed-focus-on-214-licensing/. Having The Law Offices of Thomas K. Crowe, P.C. file the Section 214 application and be available for questions from FCC and Executive Branch staff offers important benefits. For example:
- Fees : Our flat fees are among the most competitive in the industry.
- The Firm has never had a Section 214 application denied.
- Experience : Our Firm is AV rated by the "Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers" and its principal attorney has over 25 years of experience in communications practice.
- Location : Our location in Washington, D.C., near the FCC and involved Executive Branch departments, facilitates our substantial practice before these regulators.
Please contact us if you are interested in having our Firm prepare and file your FCC 214 application, or if you are interested in more information about our Firm.
Effective: 01/06/2010