Glossary of Terms

A percentage value applied to revenue of FCC Forms 499-A/Q filers to prevent their being assessed universal service fees on pass-through charges that they bill to their customers. The FCC sets this value quarterly. Visit USAC’s Contribution Factors page to see the current circularity factor.

A percentage value applied to revenue of FCC Forms 499-A/Q filers that indicates what portion of their interstate and international end-user revenue they must contribute to the USF. The FCC sets this value quarterly. Visit USAC’s Contribution Factors page to see the current contribution factor.

The form HCPs use to establish their eligibility for the HCF and Telecom Programs. Visit the program’s eligibility determination page for information about RHC program requirements.

The form HCF Program applicants use to provide information about requested services to enable a fair and open competitive bidding process. The FCC Form 461 must be posted to USAC’s website for a minimum of 28 days before the applicant can select a service provider.

The form HCF Program applicants use to identify key information about services or equipment for which they are seeking universal service support. Each individual or consortium applicant must submit a single FCC Form 462 for each service provider detailing their requested service(s), equipment, facilities, rates, service provider name, and date(s) of service provider selection.

The form used to invoice committed funds that are on an approved FCC Form 462. The FCC Form 463 serves as a request to USAC for the disbursement of funding under the HCF Program for the services, equipment, and/or facilities set forth in an applicant’s FCL. The filing of the FCC Form 463 is a joint process between the applicant and the vendor (service provider). The applicant initiates the filing of the FCC Form 463, and the vendor reviews and, if needed, revises it before it is submitted to USAC for processing and payment.

The form Telecom Program applicants use to provide information about requested services to enable a fair and open competitive bidding process. The FCC Form 465 must be posted to USAC’s website for a minimum of 28 days before the applicant can select a service provider.

The form Telecom Program applicants use to identify their requested service(s), rates, service provider, and date(s) of service provider selection. Each individual applicant must submit a single form for each service requested.

The form used to invoice committed funds that are on an approved FCC Form 466. The FCC Form 469 serves as a request to USAC for the disbursement of funding under the Telecom Program for the services, set forth in an applicant’s FCL. The filing of the FCC Form 469 is a joint process between the applicant and the vendor (service provider). The service provider initiates the filing of the FCC Form 469, and the applicant reviews and, if needed, revises it before it is submitted to USAC for processing and payment.

An FCC form that schools and libraries complete to establish their eligibility for E-Rate support and formally request bids for E-Rate equipment and services from service providers. The certification of FCC Form 470 in EPC initiates the competitive bidding process. The form must then be posted to USAC’s website for a minimum of 28 days before the applicant can select a service provider.

An FCC form that schools and libraries use annually to report services ordered and request discounts for those services. Visit the E-Rate program’s FCC Form 471 Filing page for additional information.

The period, generally between mid-January and mid-March prior to the start of the funding year, when applicants request E-Rate program support. See also FCC Form 471.

An FCC form that E-Rate program applicants submit to USAC after paying for services in full to request reimbursement for the discount on those services. Applicants may visit E-Rate’s applicant invoicing page for additional details about the BEAR invoicing method.

An FCC form that service providers file annually to certify their compliance with E-Rate program rules and guidelines. The form must be filed before USAC will pay invoices.

An FCC form that service providers submit to USAC to request reimbursement for discounted eligible services provided to E-Rate program applicants. Service providers may visit E-Rate’s service provider invoicing page for additional details about the SPI invoicing method.

An FCC form that E-Rate consortium members (the administrative authority for CIPA purposes) submit annually to their consortium leader to certify that they are in compliance with CIPA. After all FCC Forms 479 are collected, the consortium leader can complete the FCC Form 486. See also Children’s Internet Protection Act.

An FCC form that all ETCs in the High Cost and Lifeline programs must file annually by July 1. For High Cost carriers, the form collects outage data, request for service figures, branding information of the carrier’s holding company and affiliates, documentation of the carrier’s engagement with Tribal governments, certification of voice services pricing, results of network performance tests, certifications on frozen High Cost support, certifications on broadband services, and an annual report on the company’s financial condition and operations. For Lifeline carriers, the form collects branding information of the carrier’s holding company and its affiliates and terms and conditions of service plans offered to subscribers.

An FCC form that E-Rate program applicants file to inform USAC that services have begun and confirm their compliance with CIPA. It must be completed prior to filing a BEAR Form (FCC Form 472) or SPI Form (FCC Form 474) to request reimbursement. See also Children’s Internet Protection Act.

A letter USAC issues to E-Rate program applicants and service providers to indicate that an FCC Form 486 has been successfully processed and invoicing may begin.

The FCC form that telecommunications service providers must submit to participate in any of the universal service programs. The form collects contact, remittance, and payment information. Upon completion, the service provider is assigned a nine-digit unique identifier referred to as a 498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). Note: Applicants to the E-Rate program who choose the FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form) payment method must also have filed the FCC Form 498.

See 498 Company Officer.

See Authorized Users.