USACHigh CostFunds
ACAM

ACAM

Established by the 2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order, the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) program provides funding to rate-of-return carriers that voluntarily elected to transition to a new cost model for calculating High Cost support in exchange for meeting defined broadband build-out obligations. (Carriers that elected ACAM support following the 2016 order, but did not elect the new Revised ACAM offer, continue to participate in the original ACAM program, or ACAM I.) ACAM models the forward-looking economic costs of deploying a high-speed network and delivering broadband service. Carriers that elected this option receive predictable monthly payments to provide voice and broadband service to all funded locations over the program’s 10-year support term (2017-2026). Learn more.

Please see the Rate-of-Return Reform webpage for more information about FCC orders targeting rate of return carriers.

Service Requirements

Carriers that elected ACAM funding must meet the deployment obligations published in the Public Notice authorizing them to receive A-CAM support. These deployment obligations are based on the following service requirements:

  • Maintain existing voice and broadband service and offer broadband speeds of at least 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream (10/1 Mbps) to a number of eligible locations equal to the number of fully-funded locations (locations for which the carrier receives support for the full cost of build-out)
  • Offer broadband speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps to a number of eligible locations equal to a certain percentage of fully funded locations depending on the population density of the carrier’s service area.
    • For a density threshold of 10 or more locations per square mile, offer speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps to a number of eligible locations equal to at least 75 percent of fully-funded locations by the end of 2026
    • For a density threshold of more than five but fewer than 10 locations per square mile, offer speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps to a number of eligible locations equal to at least 50 percent of fully-funded locations by the end of 2026
    • For a density threshold of five or fewer locations per square mile, offer speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps to a number of eligible locations equal to at least 25 percent of fully-funded locations by the end of 2026
  • Offer broadband speeds of at least 4/1 Mbps to a number of eligible locations equal to a certain percentage of capped locations (locations for which the carrier receives support for only the partial cost of build-out) depending on the population density of the carrier’s service area
    • For a density threshold of 10 or more locations per square mile, offer speeds of at least 4/1 Mbps to a number of eligible locations equal to at least 50 percent of capped funded locations by the end of 2026
    • For a density threshold of fewer than 10 locations per square mile, offer speeds of at least 4/1 Mbps to a number of eligible locations equal to at least 25 percent of capped funded locations by the end of 2026
  • Provide broadband upon reasonable request to the remainder of locations

Deployment Requirements

Carriers must offer at least one commercial voice service and one commercial broadband service that meet the relevant service requirements, and must meet the following broadband deployment milestones:

  • Deploy at least 10/1 Mbps service to the number of eligible locations equal to at least 40 percent of fully funded locations by the end of year 4 (2020)
  • Deploy at least 10/1 Mbps service to the number of eligible locations equal to at least 50 percent of fully funded locations by the end of year 5 (2021)
  • Deploy at least 10/1 Mbps service to the number of eligible locations equal to at least 60 percent of fully funded locations by the end of year 6 (2022)
  • Deploy at least 10/1 Mbps service to the number of eligible locations equal to at least 70 percent of fully funded locations by the end of year 7 (2023)
  • Deploy at least 10/1 Mbps service to the number of eligible locations equal to at least 80 percent of fully funded locations by the end of year 8 (2024)
  • Deploy at least 10/1 Mbps service to the number of eligible locations equal to at least 90 percent of fully funded locations by the end of year 9 (2025)
  • Deploy at least 10/1 Mbps service to the number of eligible locations equal to at least 100 percent of fully funded locations, in addition to meeting final deployment obligations to deploy 25/3 Mbps and 4/1 Mbps by the end of year 10 (2026)

Please see this spreadsheet for the most current ACAM authorization report, as of December 2025 (Authorization Report 5.3).

  • Historical spreadsheet for ACAM Authorization Report 5.2, dated January 8, 2025
  • Historical spreadsheet for ACAM carrier-specific deployment obligations from the 2019 authorization report

The FCC has established a voluntary location adjustment process to resolve potential discrepancies in ACAM deployment obligations. ACAM carriers can file certifications with the FCC seeking a decrease in the total number of locations they must deploy (along with a pro-rata reduction in support) based on the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric (Fabric) dataset released in December of 2025. The Fabric is a single, standardized dataset of all locations in the U.S. where fixed broadband access service is available or could be installed. It serves as the foundation for FCC collection of fixed-broadband-availability data through the Broadband Data Collection and FCC mapping of fixed-broadband availability on the National Broadband Map.

The window for ACAM carriers to submit location adjustment certifications based on the Fabric dataset from December of 2025 is open from Fri., Feb. 6, 2026, through Mon., April 6, 2026. After this window closes, the FCC and USAC will review the certifications, verify Fabric-based location counts, recalculate support on a pro-rata basis and release a future public notice informing carriers of revised deployment obligations and support amounts. (See FCC DA 25-1023 and FCC DA 26-123)

Annual Filing Requirements

Carriers receiving ACAM support must comply with the following filing and certification requirements annually:

  • Quarterly: Submit speed and latency test data from performance measures testing conducted for one week of each quarter of the calendar year at a USAC-selected random sample of locations reported in the HUBB that have active subscribers. Carriers must file and certify test results within two weeks of the end of the quarter. Submit speed and latency test data in the Performance Measures Module.
  • March 1: Submit and certify deployment data in the HUBB showing where the carrier built out broadband using CAF support in the previous calendar year or certify that the carrier has “no locations to upload.” Carriers must report latitude and longitude coordinates, minimum speeds offered and date of deployment, among other information, for every location where mass-market, high-speed Internet service is available. Submit Locations in the HUBB. USAC will conduct verification reviews to confirm deployment to a random sample of locations reported in the HUBB following each deployment milestone. Carriers must notify the FCC and USAC, and relevant state, U.S. Territory or Tribal governments if applicable, within 10 business days after the applicable deadline if they have failed to meet a build-out milestone (see 47 CFR Section 54.320(d)).
  • July 1: Certify financial and operational data collected by FCC Form 481.
  • July 1: Submit FCC Form 507 to report line counts.
  • October 1: Certify that the carrier is eligible to receive High Cost support and used all support received in the proceeding calendar year only to provide, maintain and upgrade the facilities for which the support was intended and will do the same in the coming calendar year. State utility commissions certify carriers under their jurisdiction as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs). Carriers not subject to state jurisdiction self-certify. Learn more about the annual ETC certification.

Related Orders

  • FCC Reforms High Cost Program for Rate-of-Return Carriers (FCC 16-33) – Order adopting voluntary path to model based support for rate-of-return carriers (ACAM)
  • Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Results of Rate-of-Return Carriers That Accepted Offer of Model Support (DA 16-1246) – Public notice announcing the results of the rate-of-return carriers that accepted the initial offer of model support
  • ACAM Order (FCC 16-178) – Order adopting measures to address the significant demand for Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM) support
  • WCB Authorizes, Announces Revised Offers of ACAM Support for Broadband (DA 16-1422) – Public notice announcing the first authorizations of support and revised offers
  • WCB Authorizes, Announces Revised Offers of ACAM Support for Broadband (DA 17-99) – Public notice announcing second authorizations of support
  • WCB Authorizes, Announces Revised Offers of ACAM Support for Broadband (DA 18-750) – Public notice announcing third authorizations of support
  • Wireline Competition Bureau Provides Guidance Regarding Alternative Connect America Model Final Deployment Obligations (DA 19-650) – Public notice providing guidance regarding ACAM final deployment obligations
  • Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Filing Window for A-CAM I Carriers to Submit Certifications Requesting Downward Location Adjustments (DA 26-123) – FCC announces filing window for A-CAM carriers to submit certifications requesting downward location adjustments