Telephone Info for Providers

Getting Certified

Becoming a Competing Local Telecommunications Provider (CLP)

Companies are required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Utilities Commission prior to offering local service. The Utilities Commission recommends that prospective providers of local telecommunications services (also known as CLPs) review the associated Commission Rules and various Orders. Links to this information and the necessary application forms can be found at Local Telecommunications Provider Application. 

Becoming a Long Distance Telecommunications Provider

Companies are required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Utilities Commission prior to offering long distance service. The application form can be found at Long Distance Telecommunications Provider Application.

Becoming a Payphone Service Provider (PSP)

Companies are required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Utilities Commission prior to offering telephone service as a payphone service provider (PSP). Instructions and an application form can be found at the North Carolina Utilities Commission website.  Note that payphone service providers must also file change of name or address applications when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Applications

  1. How long does the application process normally take? The length of the application process is dependent upon the completeness of the application and responsiveness to additional questions from Staff. But, the process normally takes less than one month.
  2. Is a certificate of public convenience and necessity required if a provider only wants to provide dark fiber, wholesale services, or data circuits? Yes.
  3. What reports are required to be filed by certified providers? See Reporting Requirements below.
  4. Can parts of the local application be filed CONFIDENTIALLY? Yes. Applicants should contact the Utilities Commission’s Chief Clerk’s office on the process for filing certain information confidentially.

Reporting Requirements

The Public Staff has prepared an unofficial listing of reporting requirements for the various categories of telecommunications providers operating in North Carolina. 

Local Telecommunications Providers

The reporting requirements for local telecommunications providers are dependent upon the provider’s type of regulatory classification such as Competing Local Providers, Subsection (h) Providers, and Subsection (m) Providers.

Long Distance Telecommunications Providers

Long Distance Companies Reporting Requirements

Reporting Forms