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Service Providers

Service Providers

All service providers that participate in any of the four Universal Service Funds (USF) programs – High Cost, Lifeline, Rural Health Care (RHC), or E-Rate, must have a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN), also known as a 498 ID. Please note that High Cost and Lifeline have other program requirements, such as obtaining Eligible Telecommunication Carrier (ETC) certification to participate.

To obtain a 498 ID/SPIN, service providers must complete an FCC Form 498  and submit it to USAC. This form collects contact, remittance, and payment information for service providers in all universal service programs administered by USAC. Please note: If you participated in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as a service provider, you were likely given an ACP-specific SPIN without having to submit an FCC Form 498. To participate in the RHC or E-Rate programs, you must submit an FCC Form 498 to obtain a new SPIN. This Registering for a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) Checklist for New Tribal Service Providers explains the process at a high level.

Get Started: Obtain a SPIN

To learn about how to file an FCC Form 498 and obtain a SPIN/498 ID, review the steps below.

Register for a UEI on SAM.gov

Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) by registering on SAM.gov. Read USAC’s bulletin to learn how to obtain a UEI. Please note: It can take up to six weeks to receive a UEI.

Get a DUNS Number

You will also need a DUNS Number, which can be obtained through Dun & Bradstreet’s website.

Receive an FCC Registration Number from the FCC

To receive your FCC Registration Number (FCC RN), you must log in to the FCC’s CORES website.

Log Into E-File to Access the FCC Form 498

Once you have your UEI, a DUNS Number, and an FCC RN, you may complete the FCC Form 498 in USAC’s E-File system.

To fill out a new FCC Form 498 in E-File, navigate to the E-File login page, scroll down to the bottom, and click “Continue.” From there, scroll down and click “Create an Account.” Next, click “Service Provider – 498 ID.” Finally, click “Register Your Company” and follow the instructions. For additional information, please review the Register for New 498 ID video.

Note: There are separate sections on the FCC Form 498 for each USF program.

Verify Your Banking and Tax Information in E-File

You will need your entity’s banking and tax information: a routing number, a bank account number, and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID.

Certify FCC Form 498

The person named as the Company Officer on your FCC Form 498 will receive an email from USAC following the completion of the form; they will have 14 days to certify it. Upon certification, USAC will be notified to review the submission.

Get Your 498 ID/SPIN

Upon USAC’s approval of the FCC Form 498, USAC will assign a 498 ID/SPIN to your entity and email your Company Officer to provide an E-File username and a temporary password.

Next Steps

Once you have a 498 ID/SPIN, you will be ready to provide service to E-Rate and/or RHC applicants. Review E-Rate’s Respond to Applicant Bids page and/or RHC’s Respond to Applicant Bids page for guidance on bidding for service in each respective program.

To learn more about the process of becoming a service provider in any of the USF programs, please review the following programs pages: