Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
- Site Visits
- Filing Appeals
- Understanding Audits
Schools and Libraries Tools:
Step 1: Providers of Telecommunications Services
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has determined that in order to provide telecommunications services (voice, video or data transport), the service provider must provide such services on a common carrier basis.
Specific program requirements for providers of telecommunications services, also known as telecommunications carriers, are found below. Providers must
- allow the customer to transmit information of its own design and choosing, without change in the form or content of the information, and
- provide that capability for a fee directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available to the public (i.e., hold itself out to serve all potential users).
Once a determination has been made that a service provider is offering telecommunications on a common carrier basis, USAC will check to determine whether the service provider is properly registered for participation in the program. Generally, telecommunications carriers must pay into the Universal Service Fund (USF) and complete the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (Form 499-A) to determine contribution amounts. The Fund Administration section of USAC's website contains information on filing a Form 499-A. Service providers may call the USAC Customer Helpline at 888-641-8722 to ask questions about the process of contributing to the USF and filing Form 499.
