August 18, 2026
Compliance Reports Now Available for Second Quarter Network Testing
Carriers subject to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Performance Measures testing framework can now access compliance reports displaying results from network performance measures testing conducted in the second quarter of 2026 at a random sample of broadband subscriber locations supported by the  Connect America Fund (CAF) through the USAC Performance Measures Module (PMM). These compliance reports include details at the Study Area Code (SAC) level about the percent of upload and download speed tests and latency tests conducted in the second quarter of the year that met the network performance standards established by the FCC performance measures compliance framework. Please see  PMM Compliance Calculations for a detailed explanation of how the PMM calculates compliance.
Second quarter compliance reports are now available in the PMM for carriers participating in the following funds (as well as ACS):
USAC encourages carriers to check these compliance reports to confirm that they submitted and certified all required second quarter test data – or attested to no subscribers or no testing for the quarter – for the full sample of subscriber locations selected for testing for each SAC and obligated speed tier combination, and to find out if their second quarter test results met FCC standards.
Carriers that have not yet submitted and certified all required second quarter test data – or all required no-subscriber or no-testing attestations – should do so as soon as possible to reduce the impact on future support payments. And carriers that are at risk of being out of compliance because their speed and latency test results did not meet FCC standards can potentially get back into compliance by submitting passing quarterly results going forward.
USAC also reminds carriers in the funds listed above that they must complete a full week of third quarter speed and latency testing by Wed. Sept. 30, 2026, and must submit and certify all test results for the full sample of selected subscriber locations for each SAC and obligated speed tier combination – or attest that they did not conduct testing because they cannot find active subscribers to test for a particular SAC and speed tier combination or another reason – no later than Thurs., Oct. 15, 2026. Failure to complete a full week of testing by the end of the third quarter, on Sept. 30, 2026, or to submit and certify all required test data – or all required no-subscriber or no-testing attestations – in the PMM by the Oct. 15, 2026, deadline may impact future CAF support payments. (See FCC DA 26-277 and FCC DA 25-289).
Read the full announcement here.
August 18, 2026
Compliance Reports Now Available for Second Quarter Network Pre-Testing
Carriers participating in the Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced ACAM) program can now access compliance reports displaying results from network performance measures pre-testing conducted in the second quarter of 2026 at a random sample of broadband subscriber locations supported by the  Connect America Fund (CAF) through the USAC Performance Measures Module (PMM). These compliance reports include details at the Study Area Code (SAC) level about the percent of upload and download speed tests and latency tests conducted in the second quarter of the year that met the network performance standards established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) performance measures compliance framework.
USAC encourages Enhanced ACAM carriers to check these compliance reports to confirm that they submitted and certified all required second quarter pre-test data – or attested that they could not find subscribers to test for the quarter – for the full sample of subscriber locations selected for testing for each SAC and obligated speed tier combination, and to find out if their second quarter pre-test results met FCC standards. Please see PMM Compliance Calculations for a detailed explanation of how the PMM calculates compliance.
Carriers that have not yet submitted and certified all required second quarter pre-quarter test data – or all required no-subscriber attestations – should do so as soon as possible to minimize potential withholding of support.
USAC also reminds Enhanced ACAM carriers that they must complete a full week of third quarter speed and latency pre-testing by Wed., Sept. 30, 2026, and must submit and certify all pre-test results for the full sample of selected subscriber locations for each SAC and obligated speed tier combination – or attest that they cannot find five active subscribers to test for a particular SAC and speed tier combination – no later than Thurs., Oct. 15, 2026. Failure to complete a full week of pre-testing by the end of the third quarter, on Sept. 30, 2026, or to submit and certify all required pre-test data – or all required no-subscriber attestations – in the PMM by the Oct. 15, 2026, deadline may result in withholding of CAF support payments. (See FCC DA 26-277 and FCC DA 25-289).
Read the full announcement here.
August 10, 2026
USAC Postpones Transition to SAM.gov Banking Information
USAC will postpone the transition to SAM.gov banking information to perform additional testing and validation for a smooth stakeholder transition. Once a new transition date is determined, USAC will share that information.
August invoices will continue to be paid using USAC’s current process and the banking information included on the FCC Form 498. USAC will provide update in early September.
Prepare for the Coming Transition
All service providers should still promptly complete the SAM.gov registration process and add their active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to their FCC Form 498. Note: the SAM.gov registration process can take up to six weeks to complete.
After the transition, any service provider who does not have a completed SAM.gov registration and an active UEI on their FCC Form 498 will be able to submit USF program invoices but will not receive remittance until they complete the SAM.gov and UEI processes. For more information, visit USAC’s SAM.gov UEI Requirement webpage.
July 16, 2026
Form 481 and Broadband Deployment Data Now Available to State Officials
State utility commissions may now access the most recent FCC Form 481 filings for carriers under their jurisdiction that participate in the High Cost program through the  54.314 certification system in the USAC E-File/One Portal system, and deployment data for broadband service supported by the Connect America Fund (CAF) in their states through the Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map) and the  Connect America Fund State Map  (CAF State Map). State regulators rely on Form 481 filings and broadband deployment data submitted to USAC by carriers that receive High Cost support in order to perform the annual certification of carriers under their jurisdiction to be able to take part in the program. This certification is due by Oct. 1.
Part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF), High Cost distributes billions of dollars to carriers each year to deliver essential telecommunications services in rural areas where the market alone cannot support the substantial cost of deploying network infrastructure and providing connectivity. Carriers must offer service at rates reasonably comparable to those available in urban areas.
The Connect America Fund (CAF), a centerpiece of the program, consists of roughly a dozen separate funds  that disburse set monthly payments to carriers to deploy and maintain modern communications networks that provide voice service and broadband at required speeds in underserved and unserved areas. Carriers must complete deployment over a defined timeline, with separate interim and final deployment milestone deadlines for each fund. Carriers participating in funds that subsidize fixed broadband must connect a specific number of locations in eligible areas over the fund’s deployment timeline.
The annual Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) certification, mandated under 47 CFR Section 54.314 , requires state utility commissions to certify that carriers under their jurisdiction are eligible to receive High Cost support in their states 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 regulators must complete the annual ETC certification for all carriers under their jurisdiction and submit the certification to USAC no later than Oct. 1 annually.
States may submit the certification to USAC through the 54.314 system in E-File. State officials may also send the certification by email, fax or mail, although USAC highly recommends filing online through the 54.314 system. States are no longer required to submit the annual ETC certification separately to the FCC. (See FCC 23-87 , para. 134)
Read the full announcement here.
July 16, 2026
Form 481 and Broadband Deployment Data Now Available to Tribal Officials
Tribal officials can now request access to the most recent FCC Form 481 filings submitted by telecommunications carriers that serve Native American communities with financing from the High Cost program by completing the  Tribal Access Request Form and emailing it to the USAC High Cost Division at Form481@usac.org. Tribal officials can also view deployment data for broadband networks supported by the Connect America Fund (CAF) in Indian Country through the  Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map) and the Connect America Fund State Map (CAF State Map).
Part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF), High Cost distributes billions of dollars to carriers each year to deliver essential telecommunications services in rural areas where the market alone cannot support the substantial cost of deploying network infrastructure and providing connectivity. Carriers must offer service at rates reasonably comparable to those available in urban areas.
The Connect America Fund (CAF), a centerpiece of the program, consists of roughly a dozen separate funds that disburse set monthly payments to carriers to deploy and maintain modern communications networks that provide voice service and broadband at required speeds in underserved and unserved areas. Carriers must complete deployment over a defined timeline, with separate interim and final deployment milestone deadlines for each fund. Carriers participating in funds that subsidize fixed broadband must connect a specific number of locations in eligible areas over the fund’s deployment timeline.
Read the full announcement here.
