Biennial Review

This document further streamlines the authorization and regulation of privately owned accounting authorities that settle accounts for maritime mobile, maritime satellite, aircraft and hand- held terminal radio services. The Commission concluded that there is no need for the Commission to act as an accounts clearinghouse for maritime and satellite communications and that the private authorities that the Commission has certified, acting under regulations prescribed by the Commission and under its oversight, can successfully settle all accounts for U.S. users of these radio services. The Commission also concluded that Commission withdrawal as an accounting authority will promote competition among private authorities. The Commission initiated this proceeding pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which directs the Commission to undertake a review every even-numbered year of all regulations that apply to providers of telecommunications services to determine whether any such regulation is no longer necessary.