Participate in ACP

Get Started

All service providers interested in participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that did not participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program must file an election notice with USAC by sending an email to ACProgram@usac.org that contains the ACP Election Form and all required documentation. This information will allow USAC to register your company to participate in the ACP and create system access, as needed, for the National Verifier (NV), the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), the Affordable Connectivity Claims System (ACCS), and the Representative Accountability Database (RAD).

Here is what you need to do to get started:

Register with SAM.gov (to register, follow this Guide to Getting a Unique Entity ID). Providers may choose the ‘Financial Assistance Awards Only’ registration option.* USAC cannot process reimbursement without an active SAM.gov registration.**
Obtain a Federal Communications Commission Registration Number (FRN)*
Submit an application for FCC approval to participate in the program (only applicable to non-ETCs; ETCs can submit their ETC designation directly to USAC with their election)
- If you seek to use an alternative eligibility verification process instead of the National Verifier for determinations, you will need to obtain FCC approval to use an alternative eligibility verification process (only applicable to service providers that will not use the National Verifier)
Submit an ACP election notice to USAC

For new providers to the ACP, the FRN, EIN (Employer Identification Number)/TIN (Tax Identification Number), and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) should all be associated with the same entity filing the election notice. Affiliate elections are not permitted in the ACP, and each participating provider is required to file an individual election notice in order to participate in the program.

*Service providers only need to register with SAM.gov and obtain an FRN once – if these steps were previously completed, service providers do not need to repeat them for the ACP.

**The federal government transitioned from the Dun and Bradstreet DUNS Number to a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Existing providers will not need to take additional steps to transition their DUNS number to the UEI for ACP reimbursement. New providers will need to submit their UEI to USAC on the election form (instead of their DUNS number).

Affordable Connectivity Program FCC Approval Process

Non-ETC service providers that want to participate in the ACP must receive FCC approval before submitting an ACP election notice to USAC. Existing ETCs can use their ETC designation order to qualify and do not need to submit a separate FCC approval request in the states in which the provider has an ETC designation.

Service providers should visit the FCC website and click on “Provider Application Approvals” for detailed application requirements and instructions.

Submit Election Notice to USAC

All service providers who plan to participate in the ACP and did not participate in the EBB Program must file an ACP election notice with USAC. EBB participating providers only need to file an election notice if they would like to offer ACP service in additional service areas or add new connected devices to their EBB election notice. Providers can use the election notice instructions to complete the form. Service providers must email the completed election form and the following documentation to ACProgram@usac.org:

FCC approval of your company’s participation in the ACP (required for non-ETCs and ETCs that wish to participate in states outside their ETC designation)
ETC designation(s) (required for ETCs)

Updating Elections

Service providers are required to maintain up-to-date election notice information on file with USAC. Any change to the information provided on the election form must be updated within ten business days of the change in the information. All updated elections must be fully completed and include a valid electronic signature and date.

To submit a change in election information, please submit an updated election form to ACProgram@usac.org.

Processed Elections

After receiving a company’s completed election notice (and successfully processing), USAC will assign the service provider an ACP Study Area Code(s) (SAC(s)). A SAC is a unique number that USAC assigns to a service provider that uniquely identifies that company based on its service area. Companies have one SAC for each state where they operate. In the NLAD, consumers are enrolled into the SAC associated with the state or territory where they live. USAC will also assign a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) to any provider who does not have one.

When service providers have completed the election process and received their ACP SACs, they can begin to access USAC’s IT systems for participating providers. USAC will offer trainings to help service providers use the USAC systems.

Connected Device Benefit Approvals

Under the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), service providers may offer eligible households a one-time device discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price of the device.

Beginning March 18, 2022 providers need to complete the ACP Device Information Form for each unique device it offers to subscribers or intends to offer subscribers through the ACP.

Connected Devices Form Requirements:

Instructions on how to complete the Connected Devices Form form can be found here.

USAC will review all Connected Devices Forms and reach out to service providers with any additional questions. USAC will not send a confirmation or approval for devices, but will contact providers if a submitted device is ineligible to be claimed for the one-time device ACP benefit.

Connected Device Requirements:

For each connected device that a provider would like to offer through the ACP the provider must also submit device specifications of three comparable devices.

Every device offered through the ACP must support the following:

Video Conferencing Platforms
Software essential to ensure full participation in online learning
Wi-Fi enabled
Video and Camera functions
Accessible by those with disabilities

Providers cannot offer devices from a manufacturer on the List of Equipment and Services Covered by Section 2 of the Secure Networks Act.

Please email ACProgram@usac.org with any questions about the form.

Companies Near Me Tool

USAC will use the information submitted with the election notice to add all participating service providers to the Companies Near Me tool. To increase the tool’s accuracy, service providers should submit the zip codes where they plan to offer ACP service using this form. Please email the completed form to ACProgram@usac.org.

Please do not alter the form or submit additional information – it will slow down the processing of the form.

Companies Near Me submissions will be updated on a rolling basis.