March 2008 CETC Baseline Information Available

USAC has made publicly available the March 2008 CETC baseline information consistent with FCC Order 08-122.

CETC Cap March 2008 Baseline Report (XLS, 180kb)

The attached spreadsheet has three tabs:

1. Monthly CETC support amount for the March 2008 baseline by state
2. Monthly CETC support amount for March 2008 baseline by component by study area by state
3. Monthly CETC support amount and lines for the March 2008 baseline by component by study area by state

If any carriers have questions or inquiries concerning the CETC March 2008 support baseline, please send them to CETCCap@usac.org. This email address was established specifically for this purpose and USAC will monitor this mailbox and respond to all inquiries. In addition, USAC will keep a listing of all potential changes to the March 2008 baseline for review with the Commission.

CETCs must file Quarterly Line Counts

Incumbent ETCs must file Quarterly Line Counts

Local Switching Support (LSS) True-Up data are due by December 31, 2008

Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) True-Up data are due by December 31, 2008

NEW High Cost Tool: Wire Center - UNE Zone Mapping

In an effort to provide easier access to data required for accurate filing of competitive line counts, the Wire Center - UNE Zone Mapping tool is now available on the USAC website. It can be found under High Cost Tools on the left hand side toolbar and provides for multiple search criteria to locate data.

New Email Addresses for Designation Orders and Certifications

State Regulatory Commissions, Carriers, and Agents:

You may notify USAC of new or changed designation orders via email to expedite their processing. You may also submit certifications this way. Please make sure the scanned certifications are signed or they will not be considered effective.

Designation Orders: hcorders@usac.org
Certifications: hccerts@usac.org

Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (CETCs) must file Quarterly Line Counts

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

• 3Q08-CETC [pdf, 60kb]

Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) must file Quarterly Line Counts

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 the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) on a quarterly basis.

• 3Q08-ILEC [pdf, 63kb]

Local Switching Support (LSS) Projections are due by October 1, 2008

Incumbent Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) serving study areas with 50,000 or fewer access lines must file projections for LSS no later than October 1, 2008 to receive LSS in calendar year 2009 per Part 54.301(b).

• 3Q08-LSS [pdf, kb]

Federally-Designated ETCs Must Submit Annual Reports by October 1st

Section 54.209 of the Commission’s rules provides that an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designated by the Commission under section 214(e)(6) shall file annual reports.

• 3Q214e6-Oct_1 [pdf, 60kb]

Non-Rural & Rural Use and Rate Comparability Certifications due by October 1

This is a courtesy reminder from USAC regarding the October 1 deadlines for non-rural & rural use certifications and rate comparability certifications.

• 3QWeb-Oct_1_08 [pdf, 75kb]

ILECs: HCL, LSS, HCM, and ICLS Line Count Filings are Due July 31, 2008

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, 2008. This deadline is for lines served as of December 31, 2007. Incumbent carriers must file line counts consistent with the disaggregation path selected.

• 2Q08ILECline.pdf

CETCs: HCL, LSS, HCM, and ICLS Line Count Filings are Due July 31, 2008

Competitive 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, 2008. This deadline is for lines served as of December 31, 2007. Competitive carriers must file line counts consistent with the disaggregation path selected by the incumbent carrier(s) in whose service area(s) they serve lines.

• 2Q08CETCline.pdf

High Cost/Low Income Regional Trainings (Chicago, Denver, and Dallas Areas) – Registration Now Open

2008 High Cost/Low Income Training Information

ICLS Revisions to Form 508 Projections are Due June 30, 2008

Incumbent rate-of-return carriers are permitted to submit a correction to their March 31, 2008 FCC Form 508 (Projected Annual Carrier Common Line Revenue Requirement Form) and supporting data until June 30, 2008 for the upcoming Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) program year which runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. Additionally, on June 30, 2008, carriers are permitted to submit an update to the projected data for the funding year ending on June 30, 2008 (i.e., July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008).

• 2Q08ICLS508.pdf

IAS Line Count Filings are Due June 30, 2008

All price-cap carriers and CETCs serving lines in the service area of a price-cap carrier, or their agent(s), are required to file line counts for Interstate Access Support (IAS) with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on a quarterly basis.

• 2Q08IASline.pdf

ICLS Annual Self-Certifications are Due June 30, 2008

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, 2008 in order to receive Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) for the upcoming program year, which runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

• 2Q08ICLScert.pdf

IAS Annual Self-Certifications are Due June 30, 2008

Each price cap carrier, and CETCs serving lines in the service area of a price cap carrier, must file an annual self-certification by June 30, 2008 in order to receive Interstate Access Support (IAS) for the upcoming program year, which runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.

• 2Q08IAScert.pdf

Save the Date – High Cost and Low Income Training Sessions in Chicago, Denver, and Dallas

Learn more about the High Cost and Low Income program rules by attending USAC's upcoming training sessions in Chicago, Denver, and Dallas.

As part of its outreach initiative, USAC will hold a series of one-day training events for companies that participate in the High Cost and Low Income support programs. These training sessions are designed to provide guidance on High Cost and Low Income program rules, audits, and support payment calculations.

Who Should Attend

Company representatives, consultants and attorneys working with eligible telecommunications carriers

Training Dates

Midwest Training – Chicago, IL
July 22, 2008

West Training – Denver, CO
September 10, 2008

South Central Training – Dallas, TX
November 19, 2008

More details regarding training registration and hotel accommodations will be available within the coming weeks. Please continue to check our website for more information.

Training Overview

Morning (8:30 a.m until 12:00 p.m.)

• High Cost and Low Income Program overviews
• Understanding the Process of Filing Certifications, Verifications and Line Counts
• Understanding Projections, Disbursement Calculations, and Post-Disbursement Adjustments for High Cost and Low Income

LUNCH

Afternoon (1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.)

• What to Expect from Audits and Site Visits
• Best Practices in Advertising Supported Services
• Demonstration of the New High Cost FCC Form 525 On-line Filing

Digital Television (DTV) Notification

On March 28, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing the effective date for the new rule requiring ETCs to notify Lifeline customers about the upcoming transition to digital television is March 31, 2008. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2008, ETCs must begin using bill inserts or language on a monthly bill to notify their Lifeline and Link Up customers about the DTV transition. For more information please see the March 19 DTV Important Notice.

High Cost and Low Income Training Session to be held May 8, 2008 in Washington, DC

Learn more about the High Cost and Low Income program rules by attending USAC's upcoming training session.

As part of its outreach initiative, USAC will hold a series of one-day training events for companies that participate in the High Cost and Low Income support programs. These training sessions are designed to provide guidance on High Cost and Low Income program rules, audits and support payment calculations. Company representatives, consultants and attorneys working with eligible telecommunications carriers are invited to attend.

The first High Cost and Low Income Training Session will be held on Thursday, May 8 at USAC's headquarters in Washington, DC. Additional sessions will be held later in 2008 in Chicago, Denver and Dallas.

There is no charge for attending the High Cost and Low Income Training Session. For more information and registration materials please see the Training Events page.

Sample Agenda for May 8 Training Session

Morning (9:00 a.m until 12:00 p.m.)

High Cost and Low Income Program overviews
Understanding the Process of Filing Certifications, Verifications and Line Counts
Disbursement Calculation and Payment Adjustments

LUNCH

Afternoon (1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.)

What to Expect from Audits and Site Visits
Best Practices in Advertising Supported Services
Demonstration of the New High Cost FCC Form 525 On-line Filing

Top of page

CMT Revenues and UNE Loops & Line Port Rates & Boundary Information due April 16, 2008.

Each Price Cap LEC is required to file CMT revenue, UNE Loops and Line Port rates, and boundary information for each UNE zone with USAC on an annual basis.

• 1Q08_CMT.pdf
  

Top of page

CETCs must file Quarterly Line Counts by March 31st.

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

• 1Q08_CETC.pdf
  

Top of page

ETCs must file Quarterly Line Counts by March 31st.

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 the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) on a quarterly basis.

• 1Q08_ILEC_lines.pdf
  

Top of page

ICLS FCC Form 508 for 2008-2009 Program Year due March 31st.

On March 31st, each rate-of-return incumbent carrier must file a projected annual common line requirement form (FCC Form 508) setting forth its projections for the upcoming period July 1 through June 30.

• 1Q08_508.pdf
  

Top of page