But first, a few important terms

Term	Definition
Regulator	The government agency that supervises the telecommunication industry in a country. The regulator establishes and enforces the rules and requirements that service providers must adhere to.
Notification requirement	Obligations imposed by regulatory authorities that require service providers to notify or report about certain aspects of their operations. To resell communications services in a country, you may need to be registered as a notified operator with the country’s regulator.
Know Your Customer (KYC)	A set of processes designed to verify and confirm the identity of the end-user.
Local Address Requirements (LAR)	Address details and/or documentation from Bandwidth customers to verify that the end customer is actually where they claim (or need) to be.

Tip 1: Highlight the importance of accurate, up-to-date records of your end users

Maintaining accurate records not only prevents service disruptions but also safeguards your business relationships with customers.

Action item:

• Educate your customers on why accurate end-user details are essential to providing uninterrupted service 

Tip 2: Organize regular training sessions and KYC awareness programs for your team. 

A well-informed team is an invaluable asset when maintaining service compliance standards.

Action item:

• Assign a compliance champion on your team who leads these sessions and works with the Bandwidth team to ensure you have the resources and requirements to be successful. 

Tip 3: Conduct quarterly checks on KYC and LAR details.

End-user details and requirements can change. 

Action item:

• Encourage your teams to proactively oversee the KYC information you have on file each business quarter, including end-user validation using ID, utility bill, business registration, etc.

Tip 4: Create an audit readiness checklist specific to your industry and service landscape. 

This checklist serves as a roadmap, ensuring that all necessary documentation and processes are in place before an audit occurs. Use this checklist

• Identify the countries you want to have services in
• Check activation requirements in each country 
• Check service restrictions and usage restrictions in each country
• Check sub-allocation regulations in each country
• Confirm notification requirements apply to your business model
• Confirm if KYC is required in each country
• Confirm if LAR is required in each country, and per number type
• Check and update LAR records for your current end users 
• Extra pro tip: Review Bandwidth’s compliance newsletters for the latest updates on enforced regulations (a good indication of what is next and what’s trending in the market)

This list is not conclusive and is dependent on your use case and services. Consult with your lawyer to learn what else you should consider!

Tip 5: Stay up-to-date on compliance with Bandwidth’s resources

• Bandwidth’s quarterly Compliance Newsletter
• General product compliance guides
• Notification guides
• KYC/LAR guides
• User guides
• Bandwidth’s Product Compliance Team

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, and is not legal guidance.