NECA Pool Participants

Some incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) that participate in the High Cost and Lifeline programs also participate in the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) pool for USF payments. To opt-into the NECA pool, ILECs must check the box on FCC Form 498 that reads, “Check this box if electing National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA).”

Service providers who participate in the NECA pool (i.e., meaning they have selected the box on FCC Form 498) still need to register with SAM.gov, add their UEI to their FCC Form 498 in E-File, and link a valid bank account to their UEI in SAM.gov. For these service providers, USAC will continue to honor their FCC Form 498 NECA selection even after the August 2026 transition and will continue to send their payments to NECA. The bank account linked to the service provider’s SAM.gov UEI will be the default bank account for any non-NECA designated payments, and the default bank account if the service provider were ever to opt out of the NECA pool by unchecking the box on the FCC Form 498.