About High Cost:

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

High Cost Tools:

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

Step 4: Safe Harbor Provision

Safe Harbor Provision

Section 54.316 (b) outlines the Safe Harbor provision. For the purposes of its certification, a state may presume that the residential rates in rural areas served by non-rural incumbent local exchange carriers are reasonably comparable to urban rates nationwide if the rates are below the nationwide urban rate benchmark. The nationwide urban rate benchmark shall equal the most recent average urban rate plus two weighted standard deviations. The benchmark shall be calculated using the average urban rate and standard deviation shown in the most recent annual Reference Book of Rates, Price Indices, and Expenditures for Telephone Service published by the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau. To the extent that a state relies on the safe harbor, the rates that it compares to the nationwide urban rate benchmark shall include the access charges and other mandatory monthly rates included in the rate survey published in the most recent annual Reference Book of Rates, Prices Indices, and Expenditures for Telephone Service. The Reference Book of Rates, Price Indices, and Expenditures for Telephone Service is available for public inspection at the Commission's Reference Center at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 22054 and on the Commission website at www.fcc.gov/wcb/iatd/lec.html.