http://www.usac.orgUSAC administers the Universal Service Fund (USF) which helps provide communities across the country with affordable telecommunications services.Copyright 2011 Universal Service Administrative CompanyHigh Cost and LifelineThe FCC issued an order (DA-13-1348) on June 10, which waives the July 1, 2013, annual reporting filing requirement as identified under Section 54.313(j) of the FCC’s rules. The FCC created the Carrier Annual Reporting Data Collection Form (FCC Form 481), to collect this information and the FCC is currently seeking approval of the form from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The new FCC Form 481 includes the Lifeline required reportings under Section 54.422 of the FCC’s rules. Therefore, a single filing deadline will reduce the administrative burden on USAC. The FCC will afford reasonable time for ETCs to file their annual reporting required under Sections 54.313 and 54.422, after OMB’s approval of FCC Form 481. The FCC, however, did not waive the annual rate floor filing of local rates pursuant to Section 54.313(h) of the FCC’s rules, due July 1, 2013. The affected carriers should use the OMB’s (Control Number 3060-0986) approved Rate Floor Data Collection Report and Certification available on the High Cost Program Forms page. The FCC also waived the annual certification filing deadline for states, or ETCs not subject to the jurisdiction of a state, to certify to the proper use of universal service support under Section 54.314(d) of the FCC’s rules. The states or ETCs must file the Section 54.314 certification within 60 days after ETCs have filed the 2013 FCC Form 481 annual reports./hc/tools/news/default.aspx#765Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:13:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineUSAC is releasing these proposed filing templates to facilitate carriers' preparation for meeting the information collection requirements for recipients of High Cost Program and/or Connect America Fund support associated with Section 54.313, as well as the reporting requirements for recipients of Lifeline Program support associated with Section 54.422. While the proposed draft FCC Form 481 and instructions are pending OMB approval, carriers can utilize the draft Excel worksheet to collect the data required by the filing. This version of the FCC Form 481 is a preliminary form which is subject to change in the OMB approval process. Further, only the final OMB approved version of the FCC Form 481 will be accepted on or before the July 1, 2013, filing deadline. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact USAC./hc/tools/news/default.aspx#734Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:13:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineHCLI News now available.http://www.usac.orghttp://www.usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/03-2013.aspxTue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineThe FCC is seeking comment on the new information collection requirements for recipients of High Cost Program and/or Connect America Fund support associated with Section 54.313, as well as the reporting requirements for recipients of Lifeline Program support associated with Section 54.422. The Transformation Order required that any carrier receiving High Cost Program support and/or Connect America Fund support must file certain information and certifications by July 1, 2013, including a five-year service quality improvement plan, pricing information for both voice and broadband offerings, and financial statements. The Commission will submit this information collection after the comment period to obtain the full, three-year clearance from the Office of Management and Budget, and approval for a new FCC Form 481, an annual reporting form for High Cost Program and Lifeline Program beneficiaries. Carriers have until April 26, 2013, to comment to the FCC on this proposed reporting. Instructions on how to file comments can be found online. The proposed draft FCC Form 481 and instructions, still pending OMB approval, and the OMB Notice have been posted for review. On Tuesday, March 5, 2013, the FCC released a Clarification Order. In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) clarifies and waives certain aspects of the reporting requirements for eligible telecommunications carriers relating to five-year build-out plans and broadband network testing. The WCB also clarifies and revises Section 54.313(a) of the Commission's rules accordingly./hc/tools/news/default.aspx#710Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:22:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineHCLI News February Issuedhttp://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/02-2013.aspxWed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineJanuary 2013http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2013/01-2013.aspxThu, 31 Jan 2013 15:04:26 -0400High Cost and LifelineIn observance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Inauguration days, USAC offices, including the Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau (CSB), will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2013. /about/tools/news/default.aspx#686Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:23:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineThe December 2012 HCLI News for the High Cost and Lifeline Programs is now available. /hc/tools/news/default.aspx#677Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0400High Cost and LifelineHCLI News for November is now available.http://www.usac.orghttp://usac.org/hc/about/outreach/newsletters/2012/11-2012.aspxWed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400