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

Rural and non-rural incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) serving people in high-cost areas, sparsely populated areas, or areas with dense or rough terrain are the major participants in the High Cost Program. A local exchange carrier is defined as "any person that is engaged in the provision of telephone exchange service or exchange access"

ILECs can be a combination of either rural or non-rural company, and "price cap" or "rate-of-return" company. These categories determine the type of High Cost support for which an ILEC is eligible.

Step 1 Understand What is Supported .

Step 2 Determine Eligibility

Step 3 Obtain a USAC Service Provider Identification Number

Step 4 Incumbent Filing Requirements

Step 5 File Line Count Data

Step 6 File Certifications

Step 7 Disaggregation Plans

Step 8 Report Revenue (Form 499)