Contribution Factors

Each quarter, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishes the contribution and circularity factors to be used for assessing universal service fund obligations. The FCC publishes contribution and circularity factors on its website and within the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets (FCC Forms 499-A/Q).

Universal Service Factors

• Estimated Factors
  Factors included in the FCC Forms 499-A/Q instructions that help companies anticipate whether they are likely to be de minimis before the actual factors are available

• Quarterly Contribution Factors
  Factors established quarterly by the FCC to indicate the percent of end-user revenue that should be contributed to the fund

• Quarterly Circularity Factors
  Factors established quarterly by the FCC to eliminate the circularity of being assessed universal service fees on pass-through charges

A historical record of factors can be found in the FCC Orders posted to USAC’s website.