Announcements
January 7, 2021
USAC Announces FCC Form 499-A Training Dates
USAC will be hosting training webinars covering how to file the required annual filing, the FCC Form 499-A. Each session is designed to cover common reporting questions for specific types of service providers.
Please visit our Webinar page to register.
- February 9 – 499-A Training: What’s New
- February 11 – 499-A Training: VoIP Providers
- February 16 – 499-A Training: Cellular Providers
- February 18 – 499-A Training: Long Distance Providers
- February 23 – 499-A Training: Resellers
- February 25 – 499-A Training: All Others
January 7, 2021
RESOLVED: Intermittent USAC Email Connectivity Issues
***Update: The USAC email system is operational again. Thank you for your patience during this outage.
USAC is experiencing internal, intermittent connectivity issues with email access. While USAC actively works to resolve this issue, stakeholders may experience delays in receiving responses to emails sent to USAC inboxes, which includes USAC’s customer service support.
At this time, the USAC telephone system is operational for customer service support.
We apologize for the inconvenience, and we will respond to your email inquiry as soon as the issue is resolved.
January 6, 2021
Calendar Year 2021 de minimis Threshold Levels
For calendar year 2021, filers that report less than $44,248 of combined interstate and international revenues on Line 423, columns (d) and (e) of the 2022 FCC Form 499-A will be considered de minimis for 2021.
On a quarterly basis, to help determine if a filer is de minimis or not, if the revenue reported on Line 120(b) + (c) of the FCC Form 499-Q is $11,016.95 or less, then the service provider will be de minimis for the quarter and not required to file the FCC Form 499-Q for that quarter.
December 15, 2020
FCC Announces 1st Quarter 2021 Contribution Factor is 31.8%
The FCC released a Public Notice, DA 20-1480, announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter of 2021 (January – March) will be .318 or 31.8 percent.
December 15, 2020
Wireline Competition Bureau Releases the 2021 Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets and Accompanying Instructions
On November 30, 2020, the FCC released the 2021 FCC Form 499-A and the 2021 FCC Form 499-Q. You can view a copy of this announcement and the forms on the FCC’s Daily Digest website.
USAC will update their website with these new forms soon. Please keep in mind that service providers will not see the 2021 FCC Form 499-A in E-File until late February 2021.
December 11, 2020
Service Provider Payments
Service providers will not be able to make payments using E-File on Saturday, December 12, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET due to an upgrade being made in the Pay.gov system. We apologize for any inconvenience.
November 18, 2020
E-File Maintenance
E-File 499/498 forms will not be available on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET due an upgrade being made in the E-File system. We apologize for any inconvenience.
November 13, 2020
New FCC Form 499 Filer ID Basics Webinar
Please join us Wednesday, December 3 at 2 p.m. ET for the new FCC Form 499 Filer ID Basics Webinar. This webinar will cover topics relevant to companies who have recently registered with USAC as a service provider. These topics include the basics, including the difference between a 498 and 499 Filer ID, the forms a 499 Filer ID are required to file, a high level of the information required on each of the FCC Forms 499, Contributor invoices, and online training opportunities. This training will be repeated monthly to provide important information for any company who has recently registered and received a 499 Filer ID. Companies will also have the opportunity to question USAC senior analysts responsible for reviewing the FCC Forms 499 that these new service providers must file.
Here are the upcoming dates for future FCC Form 499 Filer ID Basics webinars:
- Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET
- Monday, February 8, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET
- Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET
If you are interested in attending, please register here.
November 13, 2020
Service Provider Payments
Service providers will not be able to make payments using E-File on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET due to an upgrade being made in the Pay.gov system. We apologize for any inconvenience.
October 27, 2020
Viewing Your USAC Invoice Summaries
USAC has updated the steps required to view your online invoice summaries in E-File.
It’s easy–please watch the updated instructional video!
October 23, 2020
Service Provider Payments
Service Providers will not be able to make payments using E-File on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET due to an upgrade in the Pay.gov system. We apologize for any inconvenience.
October 9, 2020
Fourth Quarter 2020 Newsletter Available Now
Read the 4th Quarter 2020 Newsletter which contains information relevant to service providers and Universal Service Fund contributors.
To receive this quarter newsletter in your inbox, visit our Subscription Center.
October 2, 2020
USAC Phone Outage
The USAC telephone system is currently down. The outage includes individual USAC employee phones as well as the Contributor Support Center. We are working to resolve the issue and apologize for the inconvenience.
***Update: The USAC telephone system may be down intermittently. The outage includes individual USAC employee phones as well as the Contributor Support Center. Please email your questions by visiting the Contact USAC web page as we work to resolve this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.
September 30, 2020
USAC Phone Outage
The USAC telephone system is currently down. The outage includes individual USAC employee phones as well as the Contributor Support Center. We are working to resolve the issue and apologize for the inconvenience.
***Update: The USAC Phone System is operational again. Thank you for your patience during this outage.
September 29, 2020
USAC Phone Outage
The USAC telephone system is currently down. The outage includes individual USAC employee phones as well as the Contributor Support Center. We are working to resolve the issue and apologize for the inconvenience.
***Update: The USAC Phone System is operational again. Thank you for your patience during this outage.
September 21, 2020
E-File Outage Due to System Maintenance on 9/25/20
The Service Provider modules in E-File will not be available from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020 due to system maintenance and enhancements. We apologize for any inconvenience.
September 15, 2020
FCC Announces 4th Quarter 2020 Contribution Factor is 27.1%
On September 14, 2020, the FCC released Public Notice, DA 20-1075, announcing the proposed universal service contribution factor for the fourth quarter, October–December 2020, will be .271 or 27.1 percent.
September 11, 2020
New Forms Management Coming in E-File Sept. 28
USAC is updating the Forms Management interface in E-File with improved navigation on Monday, Sept. 28. A few of the enhancements include:
- A snapshot of the 499 forms, their filing status, and required action easily visible at-a-glance
- A comprehensive list of all filer IDs associated with multi-filer user IDs
- Simplified navigation to include three tabs: 499 Forms, Payments, and Issue Emails
- Streamlined look to match USAC’s brand
The new design will make the process of managing forms both easier and more convenient. Video walkthroughs for users with single 499 Filer IDs and multiple 499 Filer IDs are available on the E-File Navigation page.
USAC will host two live webinars, Sept. 22-23, to explain these enhancements and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Visit the Webinars page to register.
USAC staff is available by phone to answer any questions. Call our Customer Operations team at (888) 641-8722 and select option 4 or email us at CustomerSupport@usac.org.
July 21, 2020
Third Quarter 2020 Newsletter Available Now
Read the 3rd Quarter 2020 Newsletter which contains information relevant to service providers and Universal Service Fund contributors.
To receive this quarter newsletter in your inbox, visit our Subscription Center.
July 3, 2020
Customer Support Closed July 3
The Service Provider Customer Call Center will be closed on Friday, July 3 for Independence Day. It will reopen on Monday, July 6.
June 15, 2020
FCC Announces the 3rd Quarter Contribution Rate is 26.5%
On June 12, 2020, the FCC released Public Notice, DA 20-617, announcing the proposed universal service contribution factor for the third quarter, July–September 2020, will be .265 or 26.5 percent.
April 2, 2020
Second Quarter 2020 Newsletter Available Now
Read the 2nd Quarter 2020 498/499 Spotlight Newsletter which contains information relevant to service providers and Universal Service Fund contributors.
To receive this quarter newsletter in your inbox, visit our Subscription Center.
April 1, 2020
FCC Form 499-Q Basics Webinar
Please join us on Tuesday, April 7 at 2 p.m. ET for our FCC Form 499-Q Basics Webinar. This webinar is intended for all providers interested in learning/reviewing the general requirements for filing the FCC Form 499-Q, the quarterly telecommunications worksheet. It is recommended for new filers, outlining who should file the form, when to file the form, and how revenue reported on the form is used to determine the monthly support mechanism charge.
If you are interested in attending, please register here.
March 20, 2020
FCC Announces the 2nd Quarter 2020 Contribution Factor is 19.6%
On March 13, 2020, the FCC released Public Notice, DA 20-269, announcing the proposed universal service contribution factor for the second quarter, April–June 2020, will be .196 or 19.6 percent.
March 16, 2020
USAC Remains Open for Business – DC Office Closed
At USAC, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees, contractors, and stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. USAC remains fully operational.
USAC’s Washington, DC office is closed. USAC staff will work remotely and can be reached at their USAC email and telephone numbers.
While the way we work has changed, USAC will conduct the regular and ongoing work administering the Universal Service Fund. This includes processing and reviewing program applications, collecting contributions, disbursing payments, and implementing program guidance from the FCC.
All USAC customer support centers remain open. Please be patient if you experience longer than usual wait times with our customer service teams as circumstances continue to change.
To submit service provider documents to USAC, please use your normal submission channels or email CustomerSupport@usac.org.
If you send other documents to USAC via mail or overnight delivery, you must also email a PDF copy to Outreach@usac.org.
USAC continues to monitor developments and will implement additional precautions if necessary. This is an evolving situation, and we will keep you informed of any changes as they arise.
February 28, 2020
2020 FCC Form 499-A Now Available
The 2020 FCC Form 499-A is now available in E-File. Service providers are reminded that they are required to complete this form online by April 1, 2020.
January 16, 2020
January System Maintenance
USAC will perform system maintenance on Friday, January 17 from 9 p.m. until Saturday, January 18 at 10 a.m. ET. During this time, users will not be able to access the single portal dashboard to access any E-File applications including FCC Form 499 (no contributor payments can be made), FCC Form 498, the Rural Health Care My Portal, and the High Cost Universal Broadband Portal (HUBB).
January 15, 2020
First Quarter 2020 Newsletter Now Available
Read the 1Q2020 498/499 Spotlight Newsletter, which contains information relevant to service providers and Universal Service Fund contributors. To receive this quarterly newsletter in your inbox, visit our Subscription Center.
January 7, 2020
Service Provider 1st Quarter Training
FCC Form 499-Q Basic Training – 1/23/2020 2pm EST
Read more about our quarterly webinar series and register today here.
December 13, 2019
E-File Outage December 13 – System Maintenance
USAC will perform E-File system maintenance on Friday, December 13 from 9 p.m. until Saturday, December 14 at 10 a.m. ET. During this time, users will not be able to access any E-File applications including FCC Form 499, FCC Form 498, the Rural Health Care My Portal, and the High Cost Universal Broadband Portal (HUBB).
We apologize for the inconvenience.
December 13, 2019
FCC Announces the 1st Quarter 2020 Contribution Factor is 21.2%
On December 12, 2019, the FCC released a Public Notice, DA 19-1266, announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter, January – March 2020 will be .212 or 21.2 percent.
November 25, 2019
E-file Outage December 3 – System Maintenance
USAC will perform E-file system maintenance on Tuesday, December 3 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. ET. During this time, users will not be able to access any E-file applications including Form 499, Form 498, the Rural Health Care My Portal and the High Cost Universal Broadband portal (HUBB).
We apologize for the inconvenience.
October 7, 2019
FCC Announces 4th Quarter 2019 Contribution Factor Increase to 25.0%
The FCC released a Public Notice, DA 19-910, announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the fourth quarter, October – December 2019, will be .250 or 25.0 percent.
October 7, 2019
FCC Announces 3rd Quarter 2019 Contribution Factor Increase to 24.4%
The FCC released a Public Notice (DA 19-559) announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the third quarter, July – September 2019, will be .244 or 24.4 percent.
August 20, 2019
FCC Form 498 – Update Required
Service Providers Must Update their FCC Form 498 to include the business type
Service providers can log in to E-File to update their FCC Form 498 and select the business type(s) that best describe their organization. From the list of DATA Act business types, service providers can select up to three business types ranked in order of importance to the company’s business. Service providers will also need to include their Dun and Bradstreet number. If you do not know your company’s Dun and Bradstreet Number, you can look it up online. If you do not have a Dun and Bradstreet number, and you are U.S. government contractor or grantee, you can request one without charge.
Once the service provider updates the business type field an Officer will need to certify and approve the FCC Form 498 before this process is complete and shared with USAC.
April 22, 2019
Second Quarter Spotlight Newsletter is now available
Click here to read the 2Q2019 498/499 Spotlight.
March 14, 2019
FCC Announces 2nd Quarter 2019 Contribution Factor Decrease to 18.8 Percent
The FCC released a Public Notice (DA 19-178) announcing that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the second quarter, April – June 2019 will be .188 or 18.8 percent.
