Glossary of Terms

Terms	Program	Definitions
498 Company Officer	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. The 498 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.
498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A unique nine-digit number that USAC assigns to a service provider once that service provider has submitted the FCC Form 498 to USAC. Every service provider is required to have a 498 ID/SPIN to participate in any of the four universal service programs and receive payments from USAC. E-Rate program applicants who select the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) invoicing process also need to complete an FCC Form 498 and will receive an applicant 498 ID.
499 Company Officer	E-Rate, High Cost, Service Providers	The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Forms 499-A/Q is true, accurate, and complete. The 499 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.
499 Filer ID	Service Providers	Six-digit identification number assigned to each entity filing the FCC Forms 499-A/Q. USAC automatically issues a company a new 499 Filer ID upon filing their first FCC Form 499-A.
499 Filer ID Deactivation Request	Service Providers	Request that a company would make to USAC to deactivate a 499 Filer ID due to a company sale, merger, consolidation, bankruptcy, termination of business, or because the company no longer provides services that are subject to USF contributions. Those requesting a deactivation of their 499 Filer ID must also update their company information in the FCC CORES database. Visit USAC’s Manage Your 499 ID page for additional information.
Annual A/Q True‑Up	Service Providers	A reconciliation between a service provider’s actual end-user revenue (as reported annually by April 1 on the FCC Form 499-A) and earlier projections from the provider’s FCC Forms 499-Q. USAC conducts the annual true-up each July.
Appeal	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A request to reconsider a USAC decision. Any party that wishes to appeal must first do so with USAC before filing an appeal with the FCC. Once USAC has made a decision on an appeal, the party may appeal USAC’s decision to the FCC. Parties seeking a waiver of FCC rules should file an appeal directly with the FCC because USAC cannot waive FCC rules. For more information, visit USAC’s Appeals page.
Audit	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	An examination of documentation and resources that verify the state of compliance with program rules. USAC conducts audits through the Beneficiary and Contributor Audit (BCAP) and Supply Chain Audit Program (SCAP) programs in accordance with the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.
Authorized Users	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers	The employee(s) of a service provider company, established by the Company Officer or General Contact, authorized to enter and modify company information on FCC Forms 498 and 499 through the E-File application. For more information, visit USAC’s Entitlements Guide.
Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	An audit program through which USAC confirms program compliance and the amounts of recoverable funds among universal service beneficiaries and contributors. BCAP audits may be performed by USAC’s internal audit staff or a firm under contract to USAC. For more details, visit USAC’s BCAP webpage.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)	High Cost, Service Providers	Corporate officer responsible for financial operations. Service provider company CFOs may serve as official certifiers of the accuracy of forms submitted to USAC. See also 497 Company Officer, 498 Company Officer, and 499 Company Officer.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	The general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal government agencies and executive branch departments. Telecommunications rules are located in Title 47 of the CFR. For specific language, see a digital version of the CFR.
Commission	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A common abbreviation for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). See also FCC.
Common Carrier	E-Rate, High Cost, Service Providers	An organization recognized by a regulatory authority (such as a state public utility commission) as providing telecommunications services to all requesting parties, or an organization that offers such services generally to the public for a fee.
Contributor	Service Providers	A telecommunications company that is required to make contributions to the USF based on the revenue it reports on the FCC Forms 499-A/Q. Companies that generate some or all of their revenue from interstate or international voice service, and that meet minimum revenue thresholds, are obligated to contribute to the USF.
Credit Balance Refund	Service Providers	A disbursement made to a USF contributor that overpaid USAC.
Data Collection Agent (DCA)	Service Providers	A term describing USAC’s role as the FCC’s agent responsible for the administration, processing, filing, and distribution of carrier revenue data for the Telecommunications Relay Services fund, which compensates TRS providers for the costs of providing interstate telephone transmission services to those with hearing or speech disabilities; the cost recovery mechanisms for numbering administration and local number portability; and the universal service programs.
De Minimis Exception	Service Providers	A status for which a service provider qualifies for a given calendar year when the revenue reported on its corresponding FCC Form 499-A is such that the calculated annual contribution to the USF is less than $10,000. Service providers that are de minimis are still required to file FCC Form 499-A by April 1 each year, but are not obligated to file the quarterly FCC Form 499-Q.
Debt Collection Improvement Act (DCIA)	Service Providers	A law that requires federal agencies to transfer delinquent debts or claims to the Secretary of the Treasury for further collection action. Unpaid obligations to the USF more than 90 days past due are transferred to the Treasury for collection and enforcement.
Delinquency Notices	Service Providers	Monthly letters that companies receive if they have fallen behind on payments owed to the USF. USAC may send more than one notice in one month if the contributor is behind on more than one invoice.
Delinquent Debt	Service Providers	Any portion of an amount owed to the USF that is not paid by the stated due date. Amounts remaining unpaid 30 days after the due date are subject to interest at an annual rate of prime plus 3.5 percent. Amounts remaining unpaid 90 days after the due date are subject to an additional penalty at an annual rate of 6 percent.
E‑Certification (E‑Cert)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers	A process that allows universal service support applicants to certify and submit forms online, eliminating the need for paper copies of forms (and original signatures) and facilitating simpler record-keeping.
E‑File	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers	USAC’s online forms submission tool. Allows universal service support applicants, contributors, and service providers to register with USAC, submit forms, view invoices, add or remove authorized users, update account information, and more. Accessible at https://forms.universalservice.org/.
Eligible Services	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers	Equipment and services that are eligible for universal service support. In the E-Rate program, eligible services include data transmission services and/or internet access, internal connections, the maintenance of internal connections, and managed internal broadband services. In the High Cost program, eligible services include the costs of deploying rural voice service (legacy funds) or rural broadband service (modernized funds). In the RHC program, eligible services include broadband connectivity and telecommunications services.
Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A designation given to telecommunications service providers by their state public utility commissions or the FCC, enabling them to participate in universal service programs.

498 Company Officer

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. The 498 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.

498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A unique nine-digit number that USAC assigns to a service provider once that service provider has submitted the FCC Form 498 to USAC. Every service provider is required to have a 498 ID/SPIN to participate in any of the four universal service programs and receive payments from USAC. E-Rate program applicants who select the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) invoicing process also need to complete an FCC Form 498 and will receive an applicant 498 ID.

499 Company Officer

E-Rate, High Cost, Service Providers

The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Forms 499-A/Q is true, accurate, and complete. The 499 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.

499 Filer ID

Service Providers

Six-digit identification number assigned to each entity filing the FCC Forms 499-A/Q. USAC automatically issues a company a new 499 Filer ID upon filing their first FCC Form 499-A.

499 Filer ID Deactivation Request

Service Providers

Request that a company would make to USAC to deactivate a 499 Filer ID due to a company sale, merger, consolidation, bankruptcy, termination of business, or because the company no longer provides services that are subject to USF contributions. Those requesting a deactivation of their 499 Filer ID must also update their company information in the FCC CORES database. Visit USAC’s Manage Your 499 ID page for additional information.

Annual A/Q True‑Up

Service Providers

A reconciliation between a service provider’s actual end-user revenue (as reported annually by April 1 on the FCC Form 499-A) and earlier projections from the provider’s FCC Forms 499-Q. USAC conducts the annual true-up each July.

Appeal

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A request to reconsider a USAC decision. Any party that wishes to appeal must first do so with USAC before filing an appeal with the FCC. Once USAC has made a decision on an appeal, the party may appeal USAC’s decision to the FCC. Parties seeking a waiver of FCC rules should file an appeal directly with the FCC because USAC cannot waive FCC rules. For more information, visit USAC’s Appeals page.

Audit

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

An examination of documentation and resources that verify the state of compliance with program rules. USAC conducts audits through the Beneficiary and Contributor Audit (BCAP) and Supply Chain Audit Program (SCAP) programs in accordance with the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.

Authorized Users

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

The employee(s) of a service provider company, established by the Company Officer or General Contact, authorized to enter and modify company information on FCC Forms 498 and 499 through the E-File application. For more information, visit USAC’s Entitlements Guide.

Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

An audit program through which USAC confirms program compliance and the amounts of recoverable funds among universal service beneficiaries and contributors. BCAP audits may be performed by USAC’s internal audit staff or a firm under contract to USAC. For more details, visit USAC’s BCAP webpage.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

High Cost, Service Providers

Corporate officer responsible for financial operations. Service provider company CFOs may serve as official certifiers of the accuracy of forms submitted to USAC. See also 497 Company Officer, 498 Company Officer, and 499 Company Officer.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal government agencies and executive branch departments. Telecommunications rules are located in Title 47 of the CFR. For specific language, see a digital version of the CFR.

Commission

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A common abbreviation for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). See also FCC.

Common Carrier

E-Rate, High Cost, Service Providers

An organization recognized by a regulatory authority (such as a state public utility commission) as providing telecommunications services to all requesting parties, or an organization that offers such services generally to the public for a fee.

Contributor

Service Providers

A telecommunications company that is required to make contributions to the USF based on the revenue it reports on the FCC Forms 499-A/Q. Companies that generate some or all of their revenue from interstate or international voice service, and that meet minimum revenue thresholds, are obligated to contribute to the USF.

Credit Balance Refund

Service Providers

A disbursement made to a USF contributor that overpaid USAC.

Data Collection Agent (DCA)

Service Providers

A term describing USAC’s role as the FCC’s agent responsible for the administration, processing, filing, and distribution of carrier revenue data for the Telecommunications Relay Services fund, which compensates TRS providers for the costs of providing interstate telephone transmission services to those with hearing or speech disabilities; the cost recovery mechanisms for numbering administration and local number portability; and the universal service programs.

De Minimis Exception

Service Providers

A status for which a service provider qualifies for a given calendar year when the revenue reported on its corresponding FCC Form 499-A is such that the calculated annual contribution to the USF is less than $10,000. Service providers that are de minimis are still required to file FCC Form 499-A by April 1 each year, but are not obligated to file the quarterly FCC Form 499-Q.

Debt Collection Improvement Act (DCIA)

Service Providers

A law that requires federal agencies to transfer delinquent debts or claims to the Secretary of the Treasury for further collection action. Unpaid obligations to the USF more than 90 days past due are transferred to the Treasury for collection and enforcement.

Delinquency Notices

Service Providers

Monthly letters that companies receive if they have fallen behind on payments owed to the USF. USAC may send more than one notice in one month if the contributor is behind on more than one invoice.

Delinquent Debt

Service Providers

Any portion of an amount owed to the USF that is not paid by the stated due date. Amounts remaining unpaid 30 days after the due date are subject to interest at an annual rate of prime plus 3.5 percent. Amounts remaining unpaid 90 days after the due date are subject to an additional penalty at an annual rate of 6 percent.

E‑Certification (E‑Cert)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

A process that allows universal service support applicants to certify and submit forms online, eliminating the need for paper copies of forms (and original signatures) and facilitating simpler record-keeping.

E‑File

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

USAC’s online forms submission tool. Allows universal service support applicants, contributors, and service providers to register with USAC, submit forms, view invoices, add or remove authorized users, update account information, and more. Accessible at https://forms.universalservice.org/.

Eligible Services

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

Equipment and services that are eligible for universal service support. In the E-Rate program, eligible services include data transmission services and/or internet access, internal connections, the maintenance of internal connections, and managed internal broadband services. In the High Cost program, eligible services include the costs of deploying rural voice service (legacy funds) or rural broadband service (modernized funds). In the RHC program, eligible services include broadband connectivity and telecommunications services.

Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A designation given to telecommunications service providers by their state public utility commissions or the FCC, enabling them to participate in universal service programs.

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