About High Cost:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Site Visits
• Training Events
•  
• Filing Appeals
• Red Light Status (FCC site)
• Requesting Confidential Information
• Understanding Audits
• Understanding Disaggregation
•  
• USAC FCC Filings

High Cost Tools:

• Required Forms
• Filing Requirements and Deadlines
•  
• High Cost Maps IAS
• HCM CLLI Tool
• Disaggregation Maps
• Disaggregation Checklist
•  
• Disbursement Data Search
• Certification Search
•  
• Latest News
• Program Compliance - Whistleblower Hotline
• Submitting A Complaint

Step 6: File Certifications for Interstate Common Line Support

All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) - rural, non-rural, and competitors - are subject to certification requirements for Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS) that have a direct impact on those carriers' receipt of ICLS.

All ETCs that seek to receive ICLS must file annual certifications in order to be eligible to receive support. ICLS certifications are due annually each June 30. If a carrier misses the annual deadline, the following support eligibility schedule applies for ICLS (absent a waiver from the FCC):

Component	Certification Filed by:	ETC Eligible For Support:
ICLS	June 30	July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year
	September 30	First and second quarters of the following year
	December 31	Second quarter of the following year
	After December 31	No ICLS for program year (ending June 30 of the same year).
ICLS (first-time filers)	December 30	Second quarter of the following year
	March 30	No ICLS for program year (ending June 30 of the same year).
	June 30	July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year
	After June 30 and before July 31	Fourth quarter of the same year and the first and second quarters of the following year
	September 30	First and second quarters of the following year

 

Failure to Timely File ICLS Certifications Can Affect Support

In order to receive High Cost support for the ICLS program year, certifications must be submitted and must be received by the FCC and USAC as indicated in the table above, with the exception of new ETCs discussed below.

Initial and Annual ICLS Certification

New CETCs must file an ICLS certification with the FCC and USAC the first time they file line count information for the purpose of receiving ICLS as required by Section 54.904 of the FCC's rules. New CETCs must again file an ICLS certification on June 30 (even if the first certification and line counts were filed before June 30). After that, carriers must file their ICLS certification annually on June 30. For example, Carrier ABC files an ICLS certification and line count information on May 1, 2004. Carrier ABC must again file an ICLS certification on June 30, 2004, and then every June 30 after that.

ETCs must certify that all ICLS received will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended, as required by Section 54.904 of the FCC's rules. The ICLS certification may be in the form of a letter from an authorized representative for the carrier and must reference FCC docket "CC Docket No. 96-45." Sample ICLS self-certification letter.

Where to Send ICLS Certifications

ICLS certifications must be filed with both the FCC and USAC at the following addresses:

FCC:
Marlene H. Dortch
Office of the Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 - 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

USAC:
Karen Majcher
Vice President, High Cost and Low Income Division
Universal Service Administrative Company
2000 L Street, N.W.
Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036

Check if Your Certification was Received by USAC

To see if USAC has received your October 1 Use Certification, IAS Certification, or ICLS Certification, visit the certification checklist.

Contact Us

Questions regarding ICLS certifications should be directed to:

Universal Service Administrative Company
444 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854

Toll-Free: (877) 877-4925
Fax: (866) 873-4666
E-Mail: HC Questions