Change to Administrative Practices Regarding Line Count Revisions by Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (CETCs). All CETCs, or their agents, are required to file line counts with USAC using Form 525 on a quarterly basis.

Beginning January 1, 2007, CETCs may only submit line count revisions no later than twenty-four (24) months after the initial line count filing.  For example, line counts submitted on September 30, 2006 as of March 31, 2006 may be revised up to September 30, 2008.  This change is being made to ensure that line count revision practices are the same for both incumbent carriers and CETCs.  The change in practice will also ease USAC’s administrative burden as well as ensure that carriers are paid promptly on their line count revisions. 

In the event that CETCs do make line count revisions within the twenty-four (24) month window discussed above, USAC will determine the timing of payment processing or recovery based on the CETC line count revision.  When a line count revision significantly increases prior period payments for a CETC, USAC may postpone payment of the prior period adjustment caused by the line count revision until such time that the amount can be included in the USAC quarterly demand projection filing made with the FCC.  Under the preceding circumstance, the prior period adjustment for the line count revision will be paid by USAC to the CETC in the calendar quarter for which the demand projection was filed with the FCC. 

CETCs must file Quarterly Line Counts by December 29th (12/1/2006)

All CETCs, or their agents, are required to file line counts with USAC using Form 525 on a quarterly basis.

• 4Q06 CETC [PDF, 54KB]

ETCs must file Quarterly Line Counts by December 29th (12/1/2006)

All incumbent ETCs, or their agents, with a CETC filing line counts in their service area(s) are required to file line counts with USAC or the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) on a quarterly basis.

• 4Q06 ILEC [PDF, 48KB]

ICLS True-Up Data are due by January 2, 2007 (12/1/2006)

All incumbent ETCs that projected for ICLS for any part of calendar year 2005 must file actual ICLS data for that year with USAC by January 2, 2007. This data will be used to true-up ICLS for calendar year 2005.

• 4Q06 ILEC ICLS [PDF, 47KB]

New SNA Notification Sample Letters (11/1/2006)

USAC has updated the SNA Notification sample letters in the Required Forms section.

New High Cost ETC & CETC Information Brochures (10/30/2006)

USAC has updated and expanded its High Cost brochures. We have a limited number of print copies to distribute upon request, and you can also download soft copies below (PDF).

• Incumbent Carriers [PDF, 623KB]
• Competitive Carriers [PDF, 756KB]

View other brochures

Deadline for 2005 LSS True-Up Data is December 29, 2006 (10/30/2006)

INCUMBENT ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS (ETCs) WHO FILED FOR LOCAL SWITCHING SUPPORT (LSS) FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2005 MUST FILE ACTUAL LSS DATA (TRUE-UP DATA) FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2005 NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 29, 2006*

All incumbent ETCs who filed for LSS for calendar year 2005 must file actual LSS data for calendar year 2005 with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) no later than Friday, December 29, 2006*. This data will be used to true-up LSS for calendar year 2005. If your LSS actual data for calendar year 2005 are not timely filed, all LSS disbursed for calendar year 2005 will be recovered by USAC.

Incumbent carriers** must submit the data necessary to determine actual LSS revenue requirement on an OMB approved LSS form, which can be found on USAC's web site. If you are an average schedule company, you should complete LSS Form A. If you are a cost company, you should complete LSS Form C. Whether you are an average schedule or a cost company, you may submit your Local Switching Form to USAC in one of three ways:

Email
hcfilings@HCLI.universalservice.org

FAX
1-866-873-4666

US Mail
Universal Service Administrative Company
444 Hoes Lane
RRC 4A1060
Piscataway, NJ 08854

If you have additional questions, please contact USAC's customer service center at 877-877-4925.

*The last calendar day of 2006 is a Sunday.

**If the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) files your LSS data on your behalf, NECA must submit the same data as required on the LSS forms. In addition, NECA must also file your data with USAC no later than December 29, 2006.

Form 525 Webinar (9/27/2005)

On September 14, 2005, the High Cost Team held a webinar to help familiarize carriers with the new Form 525 for Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (CETCs). This new form was developed to provide CETCs with one form with which to submit line count information for all High Cost mechanisms.

Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) must file Quarterly Line Counts by September 29th, 2006. (8/25/2006)

All incumbent ETCs, or their agents, with a competitive ETC (CETC) filing line counts in their service area(s) are required to file line counts with USAC or NECA on a quarterly basis. This applies to HCL, HCM, LSS, IAS, & ICLS.

• ILEC Reminder [PDF, 52KB]

Local Switching Support (LSS) Projections are due by September 29th, 2006. (8/25/2006)

Incumbent Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) serving study areas with 50,000 or fewer access lines must file projections for LSS no later than September 29, 2006 to receive LSS in calendar year 2007.

• LSS Reminder [PDF, 48KB]

Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (CETCs) must file Quarterly Line Counts by September 29th, 2006. (8/25/2006)

All CETCs, or their agents, are required to file line counts with USAC using Form 525 on a quarterly basis. This applies to HCL, HCM, LSS, IAS, & ICLS.

• CETC Reminder [PDF, 52KB]

Non-Rural & Rural Use and Rate Comparability Certifications Due September 29, 2006. (8/25/2006)

State commissions & federally designated ETCs must file non-rural & rural use certifications. State commissions must also submit annual rate comparability certifications.

• Sample Non-Rural & Rural Use Certification Letter [PDF, 11KB]
• October 1 Reminder Notification [PDF, 65KB]

(Note:  please reference the FCC Office of the Secretary website at http://www.fcc.gov/osec/ for other delivery addresses.)

Incumbent HCL, LSS, HCM, and ICLS Line Count Filings are Due July 31, 2006 (6/28/2006)

Incumbent carriers must file line count data for High Cost Loop (HCL), Local Switching Support (LSS), High Cost Model (HCM), and Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) by July 31, 2006. This deadline is for lines served as of December 31, 2005.

• Incumbent Line Counts [ PDF, 61kb]

Competitive Carrier HCL, LSS, HCM, and ICLS Line Count Filings are Due July 31, 2006 (6/28/2006)

Incumbent carriers must file line count data for High Cost Loop (HCL), Local Switching Support (LSS), High Cost Model (HCM), and Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) by July 31, 2006. This deadline is for lines served as of December 31, 2005.

• Competitive Carrier Line Counts [ PDF, 60kb]

IAS True-up Statements Introduced for 4Q05 (6/16/2006)

In an effort to give our recipient carriers increased visibility into the High Cost process, the High Cost team at USAC has developed an Interstate Access Support (IAS) True-up Statement. The first statements were e-mailed earlier this month (June 2006), and will be sent on a quarterly basis. These statements will provide detail of your IAS true-up amounts and calculations. Since not all ETCs receive IAS or had IAS true-ups in 4Q2005, here is a partial snapshot of the statement [ JPG, 204kb] . Preliminary feedback has been positive, and we will consider expanding the True-Up Statements to other funds, depending upon available resources.

IAS Annual Self-Certifications are Due June 30, 2006 (5/17/2006)

Each price cap carrier, and CETCs serving lines in the service area of a price cap carrier, must file an annual IAS self-certification by June 30, 2006 in order to receive IAS for the upcoming program year, which runs from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

• IAS Annual Self-Certifications [ PDF, 160kb]

ICLS Annual Self-Certifications are Due June 30, 2006 (5/17/2006)

Each rate-of-return carrier, and CETCs serving lines in the service area of a rate-of-return carrier, must file an annual self-certification by June 30, 2006 in order to receive ICLS for the upcoming program year, which runs from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

• ICLS Annual Self-Certifications [ PDF, 160kb]

IAS Line Count Filings are Due June 30, 2006 (5/17/2006)

Price cap carriers and CETCs receiving IAS must file quarterly line counts by June 30, 2006 for the number of lines served as of March 31, 2006.

• IAS Line Count Filings [PDF, 137kb]

ICLS Revisions to Form 508 Projections Are Due No Later Than June 30, 2006 (5/17/2006)

Incumbent rate-of-return carriers are permitted to submit a correction to their March 31, 2006 projected carrier common line revenue requirements and supporting data until June 30, 2006 for the upcoming Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) program year which runs from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

• ICLS Revisions to Form 508 Projections [PDF, 139kb]

ICLS FCC Form 508 for 2006-2007 Program Year due March 31st (3/1/2006)

In the MAG Order (FCC 01-304), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) modified its rules to reform the interstate access charge and universal service support system for incumbent local exchange carriers (LECs) subject to rate-of-return regulation. Pursuant to 47 C.F.R § 54-901-54.904, the FCC established the Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) Mechanism...

• Full article [PDF, 16kb]

Price Cap Line Counts & CMT Revenues due. (3/1/2006)

Each Price Cap LEC is required to file line counts with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on a quarterly basis, and CMT revenue, UNE Loops and Line Port rates, and boundary information for each UNE zone on an annual basis....

• Full article [PDF, 11kb]

Quarterly Line Counts due March 30th. (3/1/2006)

All Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) with a Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (CETC) filing line counts in their service area(s) are required to file line counts with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on a quarterly basis. These CETCs are also required to file line counts with USAC on a quarterly basis....

• Full article [PDF, 12kb]

All Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (CETCs) must file Quarterly Line Counts by March 30th. (3/1/2006)

All CETCs, or their agents, are required to file line counts with Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on a quarterly basis using the new CETC Form 525...

• Full article [PDF, 12kb]