Glossary of Terms
Use this Lifeline Glossary to find commonly-used program terms and definitions. Click the ‘Terms’ column heading to sort the table alphabetically or use the search bar to filter results.
Download the full Lifeline Glossary of Terms or view the comprehensive USAC Glossary.
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|
Terms
|
Program |
Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| Service Provider | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
A telecommunications company that participates in at least one of the four universal service programs and provides voice or internet services, equipment, hardware, or software. Types of companies include but are not limited to: competitive access/competitive local exchange carriers (cellular, personal communications, or specialized mobile radio providers), incumbent local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, internet service providers, interconnected VoIP providers, local resellers (coaxial cable, non-traditional, operator, paging, messaging, payphone, prepaid card, private, and satellite service providers), shared-tenant service providers or building local exchange carriers, SMR (dispatch), toll resellers, or wireless data providers. |
| Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
See 498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). |
| State and Federal Partners | Lifeline |
State and federal government agencies who partner with Lifeline to increase program awareness, build and maintain database connections to qualify consumers for the Lifeline program, and support consumers in completing program processes. |
| Study Area Code (SAC) | E-Rate, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
A unique number that USAC assigns to ETCs identifying the company by its service area. Companies must have at least one SAC per state in which they operate, but can have more than one SAC within a state if they have more than one service area. |
| Telecommunications | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
The transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received. |
| Telecommunications Carrier | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
See Common Carrier. |
| Tribal Partners | Lifeline, Tribal Nations |
Tribal governments, government agencies, advocates, and nonprofits serving Tribal communities who partner with Lifeline to generate awareness about the Lifeline program and support consumers with applying for and managing the Lifeline benefit. |
| Universal Service | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
The principle that all people in the United States should have access to telecommunications (voice and internet) services at reasonable rates. The USF, and later USAC, were established by the FCC to achieve this objective. |
| Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
The independent not-for-profit organization designated by the FCC as the neutral, third-party administrator of the USF and its four programs. Collectively, the fund disbursed more than $8.5 billion in universal service support in 2024. |
| Universal Service Fund (USF) | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
Money collected from telecommunications companies and allocated to the objective of achieving universal service, per the 1996 Telecommunications Act. All interstate and international voice carriers operating in the U.S. must make contributions to the USF equal to a percentage of their interstate end-user revenues. The FCC updates this percentage, known as the contribution factor, quarterly. USAC’s role is to collect and disburse the USF. |
| Whistleblower Alert | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
A hotline allowing members of the public to anonymously report suspected violations of universal service program rules to USAC. These reports can be made anonymously via the USAC Whistleblower Alert Form, by emailing WhistleblowerReports@usac.org, by calling (888) 203-8100, or by U.S. mail to: Attn: Fraud Risk Group |
| Withdrawn | Rural Health Care, Lifeline |
The status that USAC designates to an FCC form that has been removed or pulled out of the review queue at the request of the applicant. |
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