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: Self-Certifying if Not Subject to State Jurisdiction

IIf an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) is not subject to state jurisdiction, it may certify directly to the FCC and USAC for the rural and/or non-rural October 1 Use Certification. The certification may be in the form of a sworn affidavit executed by a corporate officer, attesting to the use of the support only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of the facilities and services for which the support is intended. ETCs are encouraged to work closely with their state commissions to determine jurisdiction.

The date of this filing has a direct impact on an ETC's receipt of High Cost support as outlined in the table below. Without this certification, an ETC will not be eligible for support for which it would otherwise be qualified.

Failure to Timely File October 1 Certifications Affects Support
In order to receive High Cost support for the various component program years, certifications must be submitted and must be received by the FCC and USAC as indicated in the table below. If a state commission (or an ETC that is not subject to state jurisdiction) fails to timely file the appropriate certification(s), the following support eligibility schedule applies:

 

Component	Certification Filed by:	ETC Eligible For Support:
HCL SNA SVS LSS HCM	October 1	January 1 to December 31 of the following calendar year
	January 1	Second, third, and fourth quarters of the same year
	April 1	Third and fourth quarters of the same year
	July 1	Fourth quarter of the same year
	After July 1	No support for the same year

 

Here is a summary of the components of this certification requirement.

• All rural ILECs and competitive ETCs (CETCs) operating in the service area(s) of a rural carrier are subject to the rural certification requirements contained in Section 54.314 of the FCC's rules.



1. Newly designated eligible telecommunications carriers - In the new "ETC Order," the FCC modified the certification deadlines for rural carriers, and CETCs serving in rural carrier study areas, so that an ETC can be eligible to receive support as of the effective date of its designation, provided that a Use Certification is filed by the ETC or its state commission within 60 days of the effective date of the carrier's designation as an ETC.
• All Non-rural ILECs that are eligible to receive High Cost Model Support, and CETCs operating in the service area(s) of such a non-rural carrier, are subject to the non-rural certification requirements contained in Section 54.313 of the FCC's rules.



1. Newly designated eligible telecommunications carriers - In the new "ETC Order," the FCC modified the certification deadlines for non-rural carriers, and CETCs serving in non-rural wire centers, so that an ETC can be eligible to receive support as of the effective date of its designation, provided that a Use Certification is filed by the ETC or its state commission within 60 days of the effective date of the carrier's designation as an ETC.

Certification Data Required
The October 1 Use Certifications must state that all federal High Cost support received (e.g., HCL, LSS, SNA, SVS, HCM, or high cost support received pursuant to the purchase of exchanges) will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended, consistent with section 254(e) of the Communications Act.

The certification should include each carrier's study area code (the six-digit number assigned to each carrier by USAC or the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc.).

Where to Send October 1 Use Certifications
October 1 Use 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 October 1 Use 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