About the Schools and Libraries Program:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Outreach and Training
• HATS Outreach
• Filing Appeals
• Understanding Audits

Schools and Libraries Tools:

• Apply Online
• Commitments
• Submit a Question
• Latest News
• Calendar/Reminders
• Required Forms
• Reference Area
• Search Tools
• Changes and Corrections
• Suspensions and Debarments
• Program Compliance - Whistleblower Hotline
• Submitting A Complaint

Step 2: Basic Telephone Service

What is basic telephone service?

The definition of basic telephone service.

Basic telephone service is defined as wireline or wireless single-line voice service (e.g., local, cellular, and/or long distance) as well as mandatory fees associated with such service (e.g., federal and state taxes, universal service fees, etc.).

Basic telephone service must be provided by a telecommunications carrier. To be a telecommunications carrier, the carrier must provide telecommunications service on a common carriage basis. That is, the telecommunications carrier must (1) allow the customer to transmit intelligence of its own design and choosing and (2) provide the service to the general public (hold itself out to serve indifferently all potential users) for a fee.

If an applicant requests Telecommunications Services from a telecommunications carrier that does not provide telecommunications services on a common carriage basis, the request for such services will be denied.