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Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

Use this USAC Glossary to find commonly-used terms and definitions. Click the ‘Terms’ column heading to sort the table alphabetically or use the search bar to filter results.

Download the full USAC Glossary of Terms or select a program-specific glossary below:

E-Rate Glossary of Terms

Rural Health Care Glossary of Terms

Lifeline Glossary of Terms

High Cost Glossary of Terms

Service Providers/USF Contributor Glossary of Terms

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Terms
Program
 Definitions
NCES Codes E-Rate

An identification code for public schools issued by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education. Private schools may also request NCES codes.
Network Cost Worksheet (NCW) Rural Health Care

A breakdown of costs associated with the network for which support is being sought under the HCF Program. It is a Microsoft Excel version of the expense items page of the FCC Form 462. The NCW can be exported from or imported into My Portal and RHC Connect. See also FCC Form 462.
Network Plan Rural Health Care

A narrative detailing how a consortium of HCPs plans to create, deploy, and manage a proposed broadband network. All consortia applicants in the HCF Program are required to submit a network plan with the FCC Form 461. See the RHC program’s Network Plan page for additional information about what a plan must include.
News Brief E-Rate

A monthly newsletter that provides up-to-date E-Rate program information, including important dates, tips regarding the application process, and other breaking news. Visit E-Rate’s News Brief page to view past News Briefs and subscribe.
Non‑Audit Recovery Rural Health Care

A recovery of funds that is not identified through an audit.
Non‑Discount Portion E-Rate

An applicant’s share of the cost of eligible equipment and services in the E-Rate program. Also known as the non-discount share, this is the amount the applicant pays after all E-Rate program discounts are applied.
Non‑Instructional Facility (NIF) E-Rate

A school building without classrooms or a library building without public areas. Examples of school NIFs include administrative buildings, bus barns, and cafeteria facilities. Examples of library NIFs include administrative buildings, bookmobile garages, and interlibrary loan facilities. NIFs are eligible to receive E-Rate program discounts on Category One services only. Visit the E-Rate program’s NIFs page for additional information.
Non‑Recurring Charges (NRC) Rural Health Care

RHC program support for any one-time cost, including installation of service, equipment, etc. Also known as non-recurring support.
Non‑Standard Improper Payment Rural Health Care

An improper payment not identified through an audit, review, or investigation. See also Improper Payment.
North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Service Providers

The integrated telephone numbering plan serving 20 North American countries. Information collected on the FCC Form 499-A is also used to calculate contributions to the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).
Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) High Cost, Service Providers

An order issued by the FCC advising a party that it has violated an FCC rule or procedure and proposing a penalty. The party has an opportunity to file a response, which the FCC will evaluate.
Notice of Inquiry (NOI) High Cost, Service Providers

A request made by the FCC to the public to comment on specific questions about an issue. The public’s responses help the FCC to determine if further action by the FCC is warranted.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

An FCC proposal for new rules or changes to existing rules. Following the issuance of an NPRM, the FCC will seek public comments on the proposal.
Notice of Resolved Issue (NORI) Rural Health Care, Lifeline

A sub-category of ADL that is issued if USAC’s Appeals team identifies that the USAC decision made during operational review was not compliant with FCC rules and requirements.
Office of Inspector General (OIG) High Cost, Service Providers

A division of the FCC that provides independent and objective audits and investigations relating to agency programs and operations. May conduct audits or investigations of universal service support recipients, contributors, or service providers.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) E-Rate, High Cost, Service Providers

Part of the Executive Office of the President, OMB reviews and approves FCC forms that are used by USF contributors and universal service program participants, contributors, and service providers.
One Portal USAC General, E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

USAC’s single sign-on online dashboard for accessing systems such as EPC, the National Verifier, NLAD, LCS, and RAD, as well as the E-File forms submission tool and many invoicing functions. Certain payment processes are also handled through One Portal. Accessible at https://forms.universalservice.org/portal/login.
Open Data E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A web portal with datasets and tools available for universal service program data. Users can view, search, filter, and manipulate the data in each dataset and extract that data in a variety of formats. Users can also extract data via API calls. Accessible at https://opendata.usac.org/.
Operational SPIN Change E-Rate

A change by an E-Rate applicant to the service provider on one or more FRNs as a result of a change in the service provider providing the services. Visit the E-Rate program’s Operational SPIN Changes page for additional information.
Past Due Letter (PDL) Rural Health Care, Lifeline

A letter USAC sends to a universal service support applicant who has received a DPL but has not returned the funds owed within the stipulated 30 days. The PDL notifies the applicant that they are past due and that failure to pay the outstanding funds will be reported to Treasury if payment is not made within 30 days of the date on the PDL.
Payment Quality Assurance (PQA) Program E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A USAC program that assesses payments made to universal service support recipients to determine if the payments were made in accordance with FCC rules. Following these assessments, USAC estimates improper payment rates and provides this information to the FCC.
Preparer E-Rate, High Cost, Service Providers

The employee of a telecommunications company that filed FCC Form 499-A/Q who has access to submit and modify data in USAC’s E-File system.
Price Cap Carrier High Cost

A category of telecommunications carrier participating in the High Cost program. Typically large incumbent providers, price cap carriers are allowed to charge a maximum price and then manage costs within that revenue structure.
Pricing Transparency E-Rate

Provides greater visibility into pricing and technology choices by applicants. Information and pricing regarding the specific services and equipment purchased by schools and libraries are publicly available on USAC’s website.
Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) E-Rate

The E-Rate program’s process for reviewing FCC Forms 471 to ensure compliance with FCC and program rules. These reviews must be completed before USAC makes funding commitments. USAC sends all communications about PIA through EPC. For additional information about E-Rate’s PIA process, visit the program’s Application Review page.
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