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The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

The Universal Service Administrative Company (www.universalservice.org) is a private, nonprofit corporation that is responsible for providing every state and territory in the United States with access to affordable telecommunications services through the Universal Service Fund. All of the country's communities, including remote areas, low-income neighborhoods, rural health care providers, and public and private schools are eligible to seek support from the Universal Service Fund. When you visit the websites of this government agency or organization, you will be leaving the Federal Communications Commission's website. If you have questions concerning the information contained on these sites, please contact the specific government agency.

High Cost Program
(www.universalservice.org/hc)
The High Cost Program offers support to eligible telecommunications companies who deliver basic "core" telecommunications services to customers in high cost regions of the country.

High Cost Loop Support covers part of the cost for telephone lines in service areas where the cost for lines exceeds 115% of the national average.

Local Switching Support provides assistance to local telephone carriers that serve fewer than 50,000 customers. This assistance enables the carrier to help recover the higher costs associated with providing service to fewer customers, thus keeping customer rates lower than they otherwise would be.

Long Term Support allows certain smaller local telephone companies serving high cost areas to offer lower rates to long-distance telephone service providers. This enables customers in high cost areas to obtain inter-exchange services for prices comparable to urban areas.

Interstate Access Support enables larger telephone companies that provide services in high cost areas to reduce long distance charges for their customers.

High Cost Model Support provides support to non-rural telephone service providers. If the forward-looking costs of constructing and operating the telephone network in a state is over 135% of the national average, then the company receives support to keep the consumer's cost comparable in all areas of the nation.

Low Income Program
(www.universalservice.org/li)
USAC's Low Income Program helps make telephone service more affordable for low-income consumers through two national programs.

Link-Up America helps qualified low-income consumers to access the telephone network, with special programs for consumers on tribal lands.

The Lifeline Assistance Program provides qualified telephone subscribers with discounts on monthly charges, including a waiver of the federal subscriber line charge and additional federal support. In addition, low-income consumers on tribal lands will be able to receive up to federal support. Most customers on tribal lands will receive basic local telephone service for $1 per month.

In addition, Lifeline Assistance includes support for telephone companies that offer no-cost toll limitation service to low-income consumers, which limits the amount of long-distance calls to a pre-set amount selected by the consumer.

Low Income Program Forms and Instructions
(www.universalservice.org/li/forms/)
This website provides the necessary forms and instructions to apply for USAC's Low Income Program.

Rural Health Care Program
(www.rhc.universalservice.org)
The Rural Health Care Program offers reduced rates to rural health care providers for telecommunications services related to the use of telemedicine and telehealth.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Rural Health Care Program
(www.rhc.universalservice.org/faqs/default.asp)
This website provides a link to frequently asked questions about USAC's Rural Health Care Program.

Schools and Libraries Program
(www.sl.universalservice.org/)
The Schools and Libraries Program, popularly known as the "E-rate," offers all public and private schools and libraries access to affordable telecommunications and advanced technologies. The E-rate means that the rate or level schools and libraries pay for services (telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections) is discounted. Schools and libraries in low-income urban communities and rural areas qualify for the highest discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Schools and Libraries Program
(www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/default.asp#faq)
This website provides access to frequently asked questions about USAC's Schools and Libraries Program.