﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>USAC.org High Cost and Lifeline News RSS Feed</title><link>http://www.usac.org</link><description>USAC administers the Universal Service Fund (USF) which helps provide communities across the country with affordable telecommunications services.</description><copyright>Copyright 2011 Universal Service Administrative Company</copyright><item><title>Draft FCC Form 481 Available to Carriers</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>USAC is releasing these proposed filing templates to facilitate carriers' preparation for meeting the information collection requirements for recipients of High Cost Program and/or Connect America Fund support associated with Section 54.313, as well as the reporting requirements for recipients of Lifeline Program support associated with Section 54.422.

While the proposed draft FCC Form 481 and instructions are pending OMB approval, carriers can utilize the draft Excel worksheet to collect the data required by the filing.

This version of the FCC Form 481 is a preliminary form which is subject to change in the OMB approval process. Further, only the final OMB approved version of the FCC Form 481 will be accepted on or before the July 1, 2013, filing deadline. 

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact USAC.</description><link>/hc/tools/news/default.aspx#734</link><pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:13:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title>HCLI News Issued</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>HCLI News now available.</description><link>http://www.usac.orghttp://www.usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/03-2013.aspx</link><pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title>FCC Seeks Comment on New Reporting Form</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>The FCC is seeking comment on the new information collection requirements for recipients of High Cost Program and/or Connect America Fund support associated with Section 54.313, as well as the reporting requirements for recipients of Lifeline Program support associated with Section 54.422. 

The Transformation Order required that any carrier receiving High Cost Program support and/or Connect America Fund support must file certain information and certifications by July 1, 2013, including a five-year service quality improvement plan, pricing information for both voice and broadband offerings, and financial statements. The Commission will submit this information collection after the comment period to obtain the full, three-year clearance from the Office of Management and Budget, and approval for a new FCC Form 481, an annual reporting form for High Cost Program and Lifeline Program beneficiaries. 

Carriers have until April 26, 2013, to comment to the FCC on this proposed reporting. Instructions on how to file comments can be found online.

The proposed draft FCC Form 481 and instructions, still pending OMB approval, and the OMB Notice have been posted for review. 

On Tuesday, March 5, 2013, the FCC released a Clarification Order. In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) clarifies and waives certain aspects of the reporting requirements for eligible telecommunications carriers relating to five-year build-out plans and broadband network testing. The WCB also clarifies and revises Section 54.313(a) of the Commission's rules accordingly.</description><link>/hc/tools/news/default.aspx#710</link><pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:22:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title>HCLI News Issued</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>HCLI News February Issued</description><link>http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/02-2013.aspx</link><pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title>HCLI News Issued</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>January 2013</description><link>http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/01-2013.aspx</link><pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:04:26 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title>USAC Closed Monday, January 21, 2013</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Inauguration days, USAC offices, including the Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau (CSB), will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2013. </description><link>/about/tools/news/default.aspx#686</link><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:23:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title>HCLI News Issued </title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>The December 2012 HCLI News for the High Cost and Lifeline Programs is now available. </description><link>/hc/tools/news/default.aspx#677</link><pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title>HCLI News Issued</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>HCLI News for November is now available.</description><link>http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2012/11-2012.aspx</link><pubDate>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title> HCLI News Issued</title><program>High Cost and Lifeline</program><description>The October 2012 HCLI News for the High Cost and Lifeline Programs is now available.</description><link>http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2012/10-2012.aspx</link><pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:57:00 -0400</pubDate></item></channel></rss>