High Cost & Low Income Committee

The High Cost & Low Income Committee consists of nine USAC board members, including two incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) representatives (one representing rural telephone companies and one representing non-rural telephone companies), one interexchange (IXC) carrier representative, one wireless representative, one competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) representative, one low income representative, one state consumer advocate representative, one state telecommunications regulator representative, and USAC’s chief executive officer. Minutes for the High Cost & Low Income Committee meetings are available online.

Members of the Committee

Name Representing
Joseph Gillan Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
Stephanie Polk Non-Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
Michael Skrivan Interexchange Carriers
Ellis Jacobs Low Income Consumers
Geoff Feiss Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
Sarah Freeman State Telecommunications Regulators
Jeff Waller State Consumer Advocates
Indra Sehdev Chalk Wireless Providers
Olivia Wein, Vice Chair At-Large
Ken Mason, Chair At-Large
Radha Sekar Chief Executive Officer

The High Cost & Low Income Committee has the power and authority to act on behalf of USAC to make decisions concerning:

  • how USAC projects demand for the High Cost and Lifeline programs;
  • development of applications and associated instructions as needed for the High Cost and Lifeline programs;
  • administration of the application process, including activities to ensure compliance with Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations;
  • performance of audits of beneficiaries under the High Cost and Lifeline programs; and
  • development and implementation of other functions unique to the High Cost and Lifeline programs.