Password Reset Required for all E-file Users

The Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) recently completed an upgrade of the E-File system. As a result, all user passwords were reset. Existing users (Company Officers, General Contacts, and Preparers listed on the FCC Form 498 and/or FCC Form 499) received an email advising them of their temporary password. The next time you log into the system, you will be prompted to provide a new password.

YOUR TEMPORARY PASSWORD WILL EXPIRE ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012. If you are having problems with the temporary password you received or if your password has expired please click here to reset the password.

If you have an Authorized User account, please contact the Company Officer or General Contact associated with your account to reset your password.

For support contact USAC at 888-641-8722 or CustomerSupport@usac.org.

FCC Announces the 1st Quarter Contribution (January-March) factor will increase to 17.9% (0.179).

Public Notice on December 14, 2011:The Federal Communications Commission released the attached Public Notice announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter (January-March) of 2012 will be 0.179 or 17.9 percent. (DA 11-2020).

FCC Announces the 4th Quarter Contribution (October-December) factor will increase to 15.3% (0.153).

Public Notice on September 13, 2011:The Federal Communications Commission released the attached Public Notice announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the fourth quarter (October-December) of 2011 will be 0.153 or 15.3 percent. (DA11-1543).

"Understanding the Red Light Rule" webinar for contributors and service providers on July 7.

Register Today! (7/06/11)

"Understanding the Red Light Rule" webinar for contributors and service providers on June 27 and 30.

Register Today! (6/20/11)

FCC Announces the 3rd Quarter Contribution (July-September) factor will decrease to 14.4% (0.144)

Public Notice on June 14, 2011,:  The Federal Communications Commission released the attached Public Notice announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the third quarter (July-September) of 2011 will be 0.144 or 14.4 percent. (Dkt. No.CC 96-45)

FCC Announces the 2nd Quarter Contribution (April-June) factor will decrease to 14.9% (0.149)

Public Notice on March 10, 2011: The Federal Communications Commission released the attached Public Notice announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the second quarter (April-June) of 2011 will be 0.149 or 14.9 percent. (Dkt. No.CC 96-45)

FCC Announces the 1st Quarter Contribution (January-March) factor will increase to 15.5% (0.155).

Public Notice On December 13, 2010: The Federal Communications Commission released the attached Public Notice announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the 1st Quarter (January-March) will increase to 0.155 or 15.5 percent. (Dkt.No. CC96-45:DA10-2344).

Webinar for Telecommunications and Internet Service Providers on October 5, 6, or 7 – How to File and Submit Changes Using FCC Form 498

Register Today!

The FCC Announces the 4th Quarter Contribution (October-December) factor will decrease to 12.9% (0.129).

Public Notice On September 10, 2010: The Federal Communications Commission released the attached Public Notice announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the 4th Quarter (October-December) will decrease to 0.129 or 12.9 percent. (Dkt. No. CC 96-45:DA10-1716).

USAC Launches its Payment Quality Assurance (PQA) Program

In August 2010, USAC rolled out its Payment Quality Assurance (PQA) Program. The PQA Program enables USAC to provide accurate, timely information about improper payments to the FCC, as required by the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (IPIA). Under this program, USAC assesses specific payments made to beneficiaries in all four USF programs (Schools and Libraries, High Cost, Low Income, and Rural Health Care)  to determine if these payments were made in accordance with program rules. Using results of these assessments, USAC calculates estimates of improper payment rates across entire USF programs and provides this information to the FCC.

For more information about the PQA Program and to obtain specific PQA document requirements, please click here. For a list of FAQs that provide information about the program, what to do if you are selected, and how/when to submit documents, click here.

Update your Form 498 with electronic banking information to ensure continued timely USF disbursements!

REMINDER! Beginning August 31, USAC will withhold support payments to any entity that has not provided electronic banking information. If your company does not have electronic banking information on its FCC Form 498 for each of the programs in which it participates, you may not receive your USF disbursements! Banking information must be received in advance of August 31^st, so make Form 498 updates using USAC's E-File System right away!

Note: E-File updates your information immediately, while paper forms take longer to process.  Forms mailed too close to August 31st may not be processed by the deadline. USAC suggests using E-File.

USAC encourages all applicants to verify with their Service Providers that the necessary information has been provided to USAC to ensure prompt payment. USAC also encourages Service Providers who have provided banking information in the past to log onto E-file regularly to confirm that information is accurate and up to date.

On June 2, 2010 the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that all federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support payments must be made by electronic funds transfer starting August 31 (See Public Notice DA 10-270). If you have any questions, or need help logging in to E-File, please contact USAC Customer Operations at (888) 641-8722 or customersupport@usac.org.

The FCC released the attached order, DA 10-752, on April 30, 2010, ruling on the US TelePacific case.

DA-10-752A1

The FCC released a Public Notice announcing USAC must issue all payments electronically beginning August 31, 2010, so update your Form 498 today!

On June 2, 2010 the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that all federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support payments must be made by electronic funds transfer starting August 31 (See Public Notice DA 10-270).  Beginning August 31, USAC will withhold support payments to any entity that has not provided electronic banking information. 

Service providers that do not have electronic banking information on file for one or more of the support mechanisms in which they participate will not receive payments for those mechanisms. To avoid non-payment, service providers must update their banking information in advance of the August 31 date. USAC encourages all service providers to update their Form 498 information using USAC's E-File System.

For assistance E-filing your FCC Form 498, please view USAC's online video tutorials.

If you have any questions, please contact USAC Customer Operations at (888) 641-8722 or customersupport@usac.org.

New Form 499-Q Interface Launched

USAC is pleased to announce the launch of a new, user-friendly online version of the Form 499-Q, the quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet. The online form, available through the E-File System, is now a Web form rather than a fill-able PDF. Note: none of the information has changed from the paper version of the form.

The new online Form 499-Q web form allows filers improvements such as a roomier layout and drop-down options for various fields.  Upon completion of data entry, the form preview, which looks exactly like the OMB-approved paper form, allows you to review the data entered in the web form before you submit and certify. From the form preview window, you can go back and edit data in the web form or you can click the submit or certify buttons.

Although no other form changes have been made at this time, USAC looks forward to using this new format with the Form 499-A and Form 498 in the future. The format allows for more flexibility in user feedback during data entry and validation before form submission or certification. Call USAC Customer Operations at 888-641-8722 or email customersupport@usac.org for help.

USAC to Issue Schools & Libraries BEAR Payments Electronically in 2010

The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that all federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support payments must be made by electronic funds transfer (See Public Notice DA 09-2126, released September 28, 2009). Currently, USAC still issues Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) payments by check.

Beginning in 2010, USAC will issue BEAR payments electronically where there is banking information provided in Block 11 (Schools and Libraries Remittance Information) on the Service Provider's FCC Form 498.  When a BEAR payment is issued electronically, an e-mail will be sent to the remittance contact in Block 11 of the Service Provider's FCC Form 498 to inform them of the payment. Remittance statements, which precede BEAR payments by approximately 2 weeks, will continue to be sent by either e-mail or hardcopy as requested on the Service Provider's FCC Form 498. 

For now, USAC continues to issue checks for both Service Provider Invoice (SPI) FCC Form 474 and Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) FCC Form 472 payments to companies who have not provided electronic banking information.  However, USAC reminds all Service Providers that the FCC's Public Notice indicates that, at some future date, payments will be held in the absence of electronic banking information.  Again, USAC will provide more details once the FCC sets that specific date.

All newly filed Forms 498 now require Service Providers to provide electronic banking information to USAC.  USAC encourages all service providers to update their Form 498 information using USAC's E-File System.

If you have any questions, please contact USAC Customer Operations at (888) 641-8722 or customerservice@bcd.universalservice.org. You may also visit us at www.usac.org.