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Telecommunication Certification

Certification and Assessments

Find out if you need a certificate of Authority
All telecommunications carriers, telephone companies and service resellers must file an application with the Public Utilities Commission for a "certificate of authority" to do business in Minnesota. Initial applications must be accompanied by a $570 filing fee to cover the costs to complete the process. All regulated telecommunications service providers pay an annual assessment based on gross state revenues.

Applications are submitted electronically via eFiling. If you are not registered on eFiling, you must complete the eFiling registration before you can submit an Application for New Authority.  There is no need to follow up with a paper copy of your application. 

Certificate of Authority Application and Instructions
Tariff Filing Checklist
Common Filing Types and Filing Instructions
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Authority and Reporting

Coin and Non - Coin Pay Phone Application and Instructions

The Minnesota Department of Commerce reviews and makes a recommendation to the Commission based on the Minnesota Statute 237 and Minnesota Rules 7810,7811,7812 and 7829.

Intercompany Responsibilities

New applicants may be interested in the steps and data flows involved when a company becomes integrated within the telecommunications industry. A document titled, Intercompany Responsibilities Within the Telecommunications Industry, developed by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions' (ATIS) sponsored Network Interconnection Interoperability Forum (NIIF), is a source telecommunications services providers can use to understand interconnection processes, data requirements, and data exchange processes among carriers related to network and routing resources. 

Fees
 As a regulated telecommunications carrier, in addition to federal, state, and municipal taxes, you are required to assess and collect fees for 911, Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP), and Telecommunications Access Minnesota (TAM). For further information on these fees, visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website at www.911.state.mn.us .