Glossary of Terms
Use this Service Providers/USF Contributor Glossary to find commonly-used terms and definitions. Click the ‘Terms’ column heading to sort the table alphabetically or use the search bar to filter results.
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Terms
|
Program |
Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) | Service Providers |
A type of telephone service that allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls. Information collected on the FCC Form 499-A is also used to calculate contributions to the Telecommunications Relay Service administrator. |
| 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. |
| Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) | High Cost, Service Providers |
A technology that digitizes analog voice signals and transmits them over the internet. VoIP calls may be placed between VoIP users or sent over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to dial conventional phone numbers. |
| 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 |
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