• UPDATED: Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) that provide Lifeline service are required to recertify the eligibility of their base customers as of June 1, 2012 by December 31, 2012. Each ETC is then required to report the results to the FCC, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), and the applicable state regulatory commission or Tribal government. The recertification process can take place in one of two ways: either through review of databases to confirm eligibility, if there are databases available; or by obtaining a signed certification from the subscriber confirming eligibility to receive Lifeline service. Each ETC must report its results on FCC Form 555 by January 31, 2013. FCC Form 555 can be found here.

In the alternative, companies that electronically file with USAC may log-in to their accounts and file FCC Form 555 via USAC’s Electronic Filing System. More information can be found in the Public Notice found here. (DA 12-1626)

  • Comments on proposed changes to the FCC Form 499-A and Form 499-Q, along with accompanying instructions, for use in 2013 are due January 11, 2013. (DA 12-2010, WC Docket 06-122) A list of the proposed changes can be found here.

A redline of the proposed changes to FCC Form 499-A can be found here, with the redline of its instructions found here.

A redline of the proposed changes to FCC Form 499-Q can be found here.

The proposed changes to the Form 499-Q instructions can be found here.

  • Due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has extended the filing deadlines for FCC Form 486, the Receipt of Service Confirmation Form for the Schools and Libraries fund, for Funding Year 2011 recurring services invoice submissions until January 28, 2013. This is the same deadline for non-recurring services, which means all invoices for Funding Year 2011 now are due at the same time.

In addition, USAC announced that the FCC Form 486 for Funding Year 2012 will also be due on January 28, 2013.

More information regarding these filings can be found here.

  • The Universal Service contribution factor for the first quarter of 2013 is 16.1%. A copy of the Public Notice announcing the rate can be found here. (DA 12-2014)