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FCC Filings

Filings to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Sixty days prior to the start of each quarter, USAC is required to submit a projection of the High Cost, Low Income, Rural Health Care, and Schools & Libraries support requirements for the ensuing quarter to the FCC. The filings are available using the right-hand navigation for each year.

USAC submits the federal Universal Service Fund support fund size and administrative cost projections for each quarter in accordance with FCC rules.

Projections are due 60 days before the beginning of the next quarter (e.g., approx. November 2 for first quarter, January 31 for second quarter, May 2 for third quarter, and August 2 for fourth quarter).

At the same time, USAC's Finance Department calculates revenue projections based on the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets (Form 499s) that are filed by all carriers. Carriers must file Form 499-Q February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. Carriers file an annual Form 499-A on April 1.

USAC collects quarterly interstate and international revenue information from carriers on the FCC Form 499-Q four times each year and submits aggregate information on a quarterly basis to the FCC (March 2, June 1, September 1, and December 2). USAC also calculates and submits the expected contribution factor. Based on these filings, the FCC reviews the data and establishes the contribution factor for the upcoming quarter. Typically, the FCC releases the contribution factor for the quarter between the 2^nd and 15^th day of the month preceding the quarter (e.g., between Dec. 2 and Dec. 15 for the upcoming first quarter).

Using this information, carriers calculate the amounts they will owe for USF. Carriers may build this factor into their billing systems if they choose to recoup this amount from their customers. At the beginning of the quarter to which the contribution factor applies, USAC bills all contributors for the amounts due based on the contribution factor. Typically, USAC sends the bills by the 15^th of the beginning of the quarter.

The billed contributions are typically due from the carriers one month after they are billed. This allows USAC to have the money on hand before the first quarter disbursements are made at the end of February, March, and April for the first three months of the quarter (January, February, and March).

This is repeated for each quarter.