The deadline applies to all telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers.

Annual customer proprietary network information (CPNI) certifications are due March 1, 2016, for the period covering January 1 through December 31, 2015. All telecommunications carriers and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers must file this certification annually with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). There is no prescribed format for the certification, but the filing must meet the substantive requirements of the FCC’s rules. Each company must also file a statement accompanying its CPNI compliance certification that explains how its operating procedures ensure compliance with the FCC’s CPNI rules.

Background

In 2007, the FCC strengthened its privacy rules, pursuant to section 222 of the Communications Act, by adopting additional safeguards to protect CPNI against unauthorized access and disclosure. One important change adopted in 2007 is the requirement that all companies subject to the CPNI rules file with the FCC annually, on or before March 1, a certification for the prior calendar year pursuant to amended rule 47 C.F.R. § 64.2009(e).

Enforcement

In the past, the FCC has issued severe penalties for failure to file or for filing incomplete CPNI certifications. Failure to comply with the CPNI rules, including the annual certification requirement, may subject companies to an enforcement action, including monetary forfeitures of up to $160,000 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation, up to a maximum of $1,575,000.