About Low Income:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Individual Outreach
• Understanding Audits
• Filing Appeals
• Training Events

Low Income Tools:

• Latest News
• Calendar/Reminders
• Required Forms
• Disbursement Data
• Rules and Orders
• Tips and Best Practices
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Program Compliance - Whistleblower Hotline
• Submitting A Complaint

Step 2: Become an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier

Wireline and wireless telephone companies seeking Low Income and High Cost universal service support must first be designated as eligible telecommunications carriers, or ETCs.

Wireline and wireless telephone companies seeking Low Income or High Cost universal service support must be designated as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs), usually by their state regulatory commissions. States have the primary responsibility for ETC designation. In some cases, the FCC has jurisdiction to designate ETCs. Three scenarios typically apply.

• State ETC Designation - States have primary responsibility for designating telecommunications providers as ETCs. Carriers should contact their state utility regulator to determine how to initiate the ETC designation process. The procedures differ for carriers seeking designation on non-tribal lands and carriers seeking designation on tribal lands. Click here for links to regulatory commissions of the 50 U.S. States and U.S. territories.

• ETC Designation on Non-Tribal Lands - A carrier seeking ETC designation on non-tribal lands must first consult with its state utility regulator to see if the state utility regulator has ETC jurisdiction and procedures in place for seeking ETC status. If not, the carrier may petition the FCC and must provide an affirmative statement from the state utility regulator to that effect. The petition must reference "CC Docket 96-45." The FCC will resolve all designation requests for non-tribal lands within 6 months of the date filed.

• ETC Designation on Tribal Lands - A carrier seeking ETC designation on tribal lands may directly petition the FCC for designation without first seeking designation from its state utility regulator. The carrier must explain its assertion that it is not subject to the state regulator's jurisdiction and bears the burden of proving that assertion. To make its case, a carrier should provide: fact-specific support and relevant case law, statutes, and treaties. The FCC will consider informative any statements and analyses the tribal authority might provide regarding the carrier's request for designation and the state regulator's exercise of jurisdiction.

More information regarding ETC designation through the FCC.