High Cost

Step 3: Filing Rural Use Certifications

State regulatory commissions must file rural use certifications annually on October 1.

Filing Rural Use Certifications
Certification for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) is required for High Cost support. State regulatory commissions typically submit carrier certifications for rural, non-rural, and competitive carriers that are eligible to receive high cost support in the form of a letter to USAC and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These are due annually on or before October 1.

The certification must state that all federal High Cost support provided to rural and/or non-rural carriers and competitive ETCs within the state will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended. The certification must also reference CC Docket No. 96-45. If a state fails to certify a carrier, that carrier will not be eligible to receive support in the first quarter of the following calendar year.

The table below provides certification deadlines for High Cost components.

ETC Certification Requirements for States

Failure to Timely File October 1 Can Affect ETC Support
In order to receive High Cost support for High Cost Loop, High Cost Model, Local Switching Support, Safety Net Additive Support, and Safety Valve Support, certifications must be submitted by State commissions and must be received by the FCC and USAC as indicated in the table below.

In cases where the state lacks jurisdiction, an authorized corporate officer of the ETC is responsible for submitting a certification. Certifications must state that all support received will be used only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended.

If a state commission (for the October 1 Use certification) 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

 

Who must submit the certification?
If an ETC is subject to state jurisdiction, the certification must come from the appropriate state regulatory authority.

If the ETC is not subject to state jurisdiction, it may certify directly to the FCC and USAC. 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.

Carriers are encouraged to work closely with their state commissions.

Which ETCs are covered by this certification requirement?
All ETCs seeking support from the following components of the High Cost Program are subject to this certification requirement: High Cost Loop, Local Switching Support, Safety Net Additive Support, and Safety Valve Support. All rural carriers and all competitive ETCs seeking support in the service area of a rural carrier are subject to the rural certification requirement contained in section 54.314 of the FCC's rules.

When must certifications be filed?
In order to receive first quarter High Cost support for the following calendar year, certifications must be submitted on or before October 1 of the current year. The certifications must be received by the FCC and USAC on or before October 1. The consequence of failing to file is loss of first quarter support, absent a waiver from the FCC. If a state commission or an ETC misses the October 1 deadline, the schedule in the table above applies.

Has your certification been received by USAC?
To see if USAC has received your October 1 certification, please visit the October 1 certification checklist.


Last modified on 1/15/2008