The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the primary regulator of telecommunications in the United States. It governs all voice, radio, TV, cable, and internet communications, and requires carriers to register, file annual reports, and comply with technical standards like STIR/SHAKEN. Any business operating as a voice carrier in the USA must be FCC-registered to operate legally.

Telecom compliance means meeting all FCC-mandated requirements to legally operate as a voice carrier in the US. This includes carrier registration, annual 499-A revenue filings, obtaining an OCN, implementing STIR/SHAKEN call authentication, and registering with STI-PA. Non-compliance can result in fines, blocked calls, or loss of operating authority.

USA regulatory compliance is the process of ensuring your business meets all applicable federal and state laws required to operate legally in the United States. For international businesses, this typically starts with company formation and then extends to industry-specific obligations — such as FCC registration for telecom companies — along with ongoing reporting and renewals to stay continuously compliant.

STIR/SHAKEN stands for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited and Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs. It's an FCC-mandated call authentication framework that digitally verifies whether a caller's number is genuine and hasn't been spoofed. It was introduced to combat the widespread problem of illegal robocalling and fake caller ID in the USA phone network.

To get STIR/SHAKEN certified, a carrier must first be FCC-registered with a valid OCN, then apply to STI-PA (the Secure Telephone Identity Policy Administrator) for authentication credentials. Once approved, those credentials are configured on the carrier's network to digitally sign outbound calls. The process involves both technical setup and regulatory filings — many businesses work with a specialist consultancy to complete it efficiently.

Form 499-A is an annual filing required by the FCC for all US telecommunications carriers. It reports the carrier's total interstate and international revenues from the prior year and is used to calculate contributions to the Universal Service Fund (USF). Any business providing interstate or international voice services in the US — including VoIP providers — must file it annually, with non-compliance carrying fines and regulatory consequences.

OCN stands for Operating Company Number — a unique four-character identifier assigned to telecom carriers in the US by NECA (National Exchange Carrier Association). It's a foundational requirement for operating as a legitimate US voice carrier and is needed for STIR/SHAKEN registration, carrier interconnection, and various other compliance steps.

VAT stands for Added Tax — a consumption tax applied to goods and services at each stage of the supply chain in the UK. Administered by HMRC, the standard rate is 20%. Businesses that meet the registration threshold must register for VAT, charge it on eligible sales, and submit regular returns. For international businesses selling into the UK, managing VAT correctly is a key compliance obligation.