Step 1 New ETC Notification

States have the primary responsibility for designating carriers as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs). When a state commission designates a new ETC, it should submit the ETC order to USAC in a timely manner. The commission should include any attachments and supporting documentation necessary to identify the service area(s) of the newly-designated ETC within incumbent service area(s) at the wire center level(s).

It is imperative that USAC receive the ETC order upon adoption or modification by a state regulatory commission (or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)) with all relevant attachments that define the new ETC's service area at the study area and/or wire center level.

ETC orders should also address § 54.207 of the FCC's rules for redefinition of rural incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) study areas when a competitive carrier seeks to be designated in some, but not all, of the wire centers in those areas. When ILEC study areas must be redefined, the state commission or ETC must file a petition with the FCC seeking concurrence with the redefinition. However, in the FCC's ETC Order (FCC 05-46, released March 17, 2005), the FCC stated that rural ILEC wire centers in study areas that have already been redefined do not need to be redefined again. However, wire centers that were not redefined must have FCC approval in order to be eligible for High Cost support.

The order should clearly state any area(s) that require redefinition. If no rural incumbent study area requires redefinition, the ETC order should clearly state that the CETC's service area does not require any redefinition by the FCC pursuant to Section 54.207.

Where do I send the ETC designation?

State regulatory commissions and their staff should send new ETC designation orders to USAC via fax, email, or regular mail at the address below. See the information requested webpage for a list of what to include with the ETC orders.
USAC Customer Operations
2000 L Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
Fax: (866) 873-4666
Email: HC Orders