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 Access Support

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

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

 

Component	Certification Filed by:	ETC Eligible For Support:
IAS	June 30	July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year
	September 30	Fourth quarter of the same year and the first and second quarters of the following year
	December 31	First and second quarters of the following year
	March 31	Second quarter of the same year

 

Failure to Timely File IAS Certifications Can Affect Support
In order to receive High Cost support for the IAS program year, certifications must be submitted and must be received by the FCC and USAC as indicated in the table above.

Initial and Annual IAS Certification
New competitive ETCs (CETCs) operating in the service area(s) of a price-cap incumbent carrier may be eligible to receive IAS. A new CETC must file an IAS certification with the FCC and with USAC on the date it first files interstate access line count information. New CETCs must again file an IAS certification on June 30 (even if the first certification and line counts were filed before June 30), and after that, annually on June 30. For example, Carrier ABC files an IAS certification and line count information on May 1, 2004. Carrier ABC must again file an IAS certification on June 30, 2004, and then every June 30 after that.

ETCs must certify that all IAS received will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended. The IAS 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." A sample IAS self-certification letter.

Where to Send IAS Certifications
IAS 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 IAS certifications should be directed to:

Universal Service Administrative Company
444 Hoes Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854

Toll-Free: (877) 877-4925
Fax: (866) 873-4695
E-Mail: HC Questions