Online 525 System will be unavailable from 5PM EST, November 23rd through 11PM EST, November 26th

The Online 525 System will be unavailable from 5PM EST, November 23rd through 11PM EST, November 26th for System Maintenance. Users will not be able to submit FCC Form 525 online during this period.

2010 High Cost and Low Income Workshop in Washington, DC-Registration Open

2010 High Cost and Low Income Workshop in Washington, DC

FCC Announces Mandatory Electronic Disbursement of USF Support Payments

The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau announced September 28 that all federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support payments must be made by electronic funds transfer (See Public Notice DA 09-2126).

The notice states that recipients of USF support payments shall provide their financial institution information and other relevant information on FCC Form 498, which is being updated to reflect these requirements.  USAC encourages all service providers to update their Form 498 information using USAC's E-File System. Once the updated 498 form is processed, all following support payments will be made electronically.

The Wireline Competition Bureau will issue a further public notice announcing the effective date of the electronic payment requirement. After the effective date, USAC will not make USF support payments to any entity that has not provided financial institution information sufficient to enable payment through electronic funds transfer.

Please note: Service providers in the Schools and Libraries Program that currently use the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR Form 472) form will continue to receive check payments even if they provide electronic banking information until further notice.

If you have any questions, please contact USAC at (888) 641-8722 or customerservice@bcd.universalservice.org.

New Mailing Address For High Cost & Low Income Filings Effective October 1, 2009

Effective October 1, 2009, USAC will begin collecting all High Cost & Low Income forms at its Washington, DC mailing address. The High Cost and Low Income email addresses and fax numbers will remain the same.

ETCs (or their agents) must send High Cost Forms 507, 508, 509, 525, Local Switching Support forms, Interstate Access Support line count filings, CMT revenue filings, Low Income FCC Form 497, and any other information previously sent to USAC in New Jersey to the address below:

USAC
Customer Operations
2000 L Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036

To avoid interruption in form processing, USAC recommends that ETCs file FCC Forms 497 and 525 online.

USAC will continue to receive High Cost and Low Income forms sent to USAC New Jersey until December 31, 2009. After that date, USAC will not process any High Cost or Low Income data mailed to the old address. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to change your records to indicate the new address or, if applicable, submit the Forms 497 and 525 online.

Guidance for CETCs Serving "Covered Locations"

On May 27, 2009, the FCC published DA 09-1157, "Small Entity Compliance Guide: Interim Cap on High-Cost Universal Service Support for Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers." This document set forth how a CETC must file its line count data in order to comply with the covered locations exception to the interim cap on high cost support:

• Guidance for CETCs

Understanding High Cost and Low Income Audits Webinars

• Register Today

March 2008 CETC Baseline Information Available

USAC has made publicly available the March 2008 CETC baseline information consistent with FCC Order 08-122.

CETC Cap March 2008 Baseline Report (XLS, 180kb)

The attached spreadsheet has three tabs:

1. Monthly CETC support amount for the March 2008 baseline by state
2. Monthly CETC support amount for March 2008 baseline by component by study area by state
3. Monthly CETC support amount and lines for the March 2008 baseline by component by study area by state

If any carriers have questions or inquiries concerning the CETC March 2008 support baseline, please send them to . This email address was established specifically for this purpose and USAC will monitor this mailbox and respond to all inquiries. In addition, USAC will keep a listing of all potential changes to the March 2008 baseline for review with the Commission.

NEW High Cost Tool: Wire Center - UNE Zone Mapping

In an effort to provide easier access to data required for accurate filing of competitive line counts, the Wire Center - UNE Zone Mapping tool is now available on the USAC website. It can be found under High Cost Tools on the left hand side toolbar and provides for multiple search criteria to locate data.

New Email Addresses for Designation Orders and Certifications

State Regulatory Commissions, Carriers, and Agents:

You may notify USAC of new or changed designation orders via email to expedite their processing. You may also submit certifications this way. Please make sure the scanned certifications are signed or they will not be considered effective.

Designation Orders:  
Certifications: