The Universal Service High-Cost program is designed to ensure that consumers in rural, insular, and high-cost areas have access to telecommunications services at rates that are affordable and reasonably comparable to those in urban areas. The program fulfills this universal service goal by allowing eligible carriers who serve these areas to recover some of their operating costs from the federal Universal Service Fund.

For statistical information on the High-Cost program, see Section Three of the annual Monitoring Report.

HEADLINES

5/6/09
DTS NECA and Universal Service Support Waiver Petition : The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by DTS of California seeking a waiver to allow DTS to become a member of the National Exchange Carrier Association and to immediately receive universal service high-cost loop support initially based on its forecasted costs rather than its historical costs. Comments are due June 5, 2009 and reply comments are due June 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

5/4/09
Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Posting of Cost Model : The Wireline Competition Bureau announces that the publicly-available version of the High-Cost Proxy Model on the FCC's website has been updated to work with the Commission's current computer operating systems (Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, Service Pack 2 or greater, and Microsoft Office Suite 2003, Service Pack 3 or greater).
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

April 2009 Releases

4/21/09
Centennial USVI High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau acts on a request from Centennial USVI Operations Corp. for a waiver of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

4/21/09
Northeast Iowa High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request by ICORE, Inc. on behalf of Northeast Iowa Telephone Company for a waiver of the data submission reporting deadline for local switching universal service support.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

4/21/09
Xfone High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants in part and denies in part a request filed by Xfone USA, Inc. for waivers of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

4/21/09
LBH et al. High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau denies three requests, filed by LBH, LLC; Knology of the Black Hills, LLC; and USCOC of Cumberland Inc. Hardy Cellular Telephone Company for waivers of high-cost universal service support filing deadlines.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

4/21/09
Grande Communications Networks et al High-Cost Waiver Order: The Wireline Competition Bureau acts on nine requests for waivers of various high-cost universal service support filing deadlines filed by Grande Communications Networks, Inc.; Hardy Telecommunications, Inc.; iBroadband Network, Inc.; IT&E Overseas, Inc.; Micronesian Telecommunications Company; Pattersonville Telephone Company; PTI Pacifica, Inc.; Texas RSA 8 South Limited Partnership dba Westex Wireless; and Thumb Cellular, LLC.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

4/9/09
Corr Wireless Request for Review: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Corr Wireless Communication's (Corr) request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Corporation (USAC). Corr challenges USAC’s failure to include universal service high-cost support funds disclaimed by ALLTEL and Verizon in connection with their merger last year in the pool of funds available for distribution under the competitive eligible telecommunications carrier interim cap on high-cost universal service support. Comments are due May 11, 2009 and reply comments are due May 26, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

4/9/09
Twin Valley Telephone, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants Twin Valley's request to withdraw its application for review of the Bureau's prior decision to deny Twin Valley's petition for clarification or expedited waiver of section 54.305 of the Commission's rules.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

4/8/09
High Cost Non-Rural Support Notice of Inquiry: The Commission seeks to refresh the record regarding the issues raised by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit) in the Qwest II decision. In that decision the Tenth Circuit invalidated the Commission’s high-cost universal service support mechanism for non-rural carriers, which determines the amount of support to be provided to each state by comparing the statewide average forward-looking cost per line for non-rural carriers to a nationwide cost benchmark. Comments are due by May 8, 2009 and reply comments are due by June 8, 2009.
Notice of Inquiry: Word | Acrobat | text

4/3/09
Cellular Properties, Inc.: : The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Cellular Properties, Inc., pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decision of the Illinois Commerce Commission to redefine the service area of Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company. Comments on the petition are due by May 4, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 19, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

4/3/09
Cellular Properties, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Cellular Properties, Inc., pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decision of the Illinois Commerce Commission to redefine the service area of Wabash Telephone Cooperative Inc. Comments on the petition are due by May 4, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 19, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

HEADLINES

3/30/09
Minerva Valley Telephone Company: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by Minerva Telephone Company, an ILEC in Iowa, for waiver of the June 30, 2008 annual certification filing deadline for Interstate Common Line Support (ICLS). This petition does not affect the amount of support available to competitive ETCs pursuant to the Interim Cap Order because it does not affect support received in March 2008. Comments are due by April 29, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 14, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/19/09
Coalition for Equity in Switching Support: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Coalition for clarification of sections 36.125 and 54.301 of the Commission's rules. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/19/09
Midstate Telecom, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Midstate Telecom, Inc. seeking waiver of filing deadlines associated with the receipt of universal service funds, pursuant to sections 54.307(c) and 54.802(a) of the Commission's rules. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/19/09
Hargray Telephone Company High-Cost Waivers: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by Hargray Telephone Company, a South Carolina ILEC, for waiver of the October 1, 2006 and October 1, 2007 projected-data filing deadlines for local switching support (LSS). Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/19/09
General Communication, Inc. Declaratory Ruling Regarding CETC Wireless Lines: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by GCI for a declaratory ruling finding that its wireless subsidiaries in Alaska: (i) are correctly reporting prepaid wireless lines based on a local address or point of sale address; and (ii) are correctly reporting wireless business lines based on the address to which a service invoice is sent rather than a separate or third-party address from where payments are processed. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/19/09
T-Mobile USA, Inc.: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by T-Mobile for a waiver of the December 30, 2008 line count filing deadline to allow it to receive universal service high-cost support. This petition does not affect the amount of support available to competitive ETCs pursuant to the Interim Cap Order because it does not affect support received in March 2008. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/19/09
Centennial Communications Corp. Interim Cap Data Deadline Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Centennial and its subsidiaries seeking a waiver of the December 31, 2008 deadline for submitting to Universal Service Administrative Company changes to the March 2008 data on which interim universal service high-cost capped support is based. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/19/09
Eagle Telephone System, Inc. and Midvale Telephone Exchange, Incorporated Study Area Waiver: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a joint petition for waiver of the study area boundary freeze filed by Eagle and Midvale. Eagle and Midvale seek a waiver of the study area boundary freeze to remove territory from Midvale's Idaho study area and recognize such territory as part of Eagle's Oregon study area. Comments are due by April 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by May 5, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/13/09
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative Redefinition: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc., pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission’s rules, requesting the Commission’s agreement with the decision of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to redefine the service areas of certain rural local exchange carriers. Comments are due by April 13, 2009 and reply comments are due by April 28, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

3/5/09
Competitive ETC Interim Cap Alaska Native Regions/Tribal Lands Exception Waiver Order: The Commission waives on its own motion the limitation on the availability of uncapped high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) serving tribal lands or Alaska Native regions (Covered Locations). Specifically, for the period in which the interim cap is in effect, the Commission waives the restriction in paragraph 33 of the Interim Cap Order limiting the availability of uncapped per line support to competitive ETCs serving Covered Locations "to one payment per each residential account."
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

HEADLINES

2/27/09
U.S. Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. High-Cost Abeyance Request: This letter directs USAC to hold in abeyance until May 31, 2009, any adjustments in universal service fund high-cost loop support for the Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation.
Letter: Word | Acrobat | text

HEADLINES

12/29/08
South Dakota Commission Service Area Redefinition Proceeding Public Notice: Pursuant to section 54.207 of the Commission's rules, the Wireline Competition Bureau provides notice that it is initiating a proceeding to consider a redefinition of service area petition filed by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. Comments on the proceeding are due January 28, 2009 and reply comments are due February 12, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

12/15/08
Alltel Communications, Inc., et al.: The Wireline Competition Bureau amends certain ETC designations granted in the Interim Cap Order. The Bureau amends the ETC designation of New York RSA 2 Cellular Partnership, limiting the designation to the 13 wire centers requested; grants designation to St. Lawrence Seaway Cellular Partnership in 9 wire centers in the study area of Citizens Telecommunications of New York d/b/a Frontier Communications; and accepts the relinquishment of the designation of Dobson Cellular Systems Inc. and American Cellular Corp. in the state of New York.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

12/10/08
2009 Modification of Average Schedule Universal Service Support Formulas: Each year, the Commission must review and approve or modify any proposed modifications to the formulas used to calculate universal service high-cost loop support and local switching support for average schedule companies. The high-cost loop and local switching support formulas are proposed by NECA and USAC, respectively. The Commission’s rules require that these formulas simulate the disbursements that would be received by a company that is representative of average schedule companies. The formulas proposed for 2009 are consistent with the methods we have approved in previous years.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

12/10/08
Competitive ETC March 2008 Capped High-Cost Support: The Wireline Competition Bureau provides notice that competitive ETCs should confirm their March 2008 universal service high-cost support amount information with USAC and file any corrections on or before December 31, 2008. To provide certainty regarding the amount of high-cost support available to competitive ETCs under the cap in each state, after December 31, 2008, USAC will not accept changes from competitive ETCs regarding the data on which their March 2008 high-cost support is based, absent grant of a waiver of this deadline by the Commission.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

12/08/08
Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by the Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation (Vitelco) on November 21, 2008, seeking waiver of sections 32.2000(g)(2)(ii) and 36.621 of the Commission’s rules to address these rules’ effect on Vitelco’s receipt of universal service high-cost loop support. Comments on the petition are due January 7, 2009, and reply comments are due January 22, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

12/04/08
Worldcall Interconnect, Inc.: WCB seeks comment on an ETC designation petition filed by Worldcall Interconnect, Inc. for two counties in New York. Comments are due January 5, 2009, and reply comments are due January 21, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

12/04/08
Open Mobile: WCB seeks comment on a request by PRWireless, Inc. (d/b/a Open Mobile) for waiver of the March 30, 2008 line count filing deadline for ICLS. PRWireless is an ETC in Puerto Rico. Comments are due January 5, 2009, and reply comments are due January 21, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

12/04/08
Filing Deadline Waiver Requests: WCB seeks comment on: (i) a request by FiberNet LLC for waiver of the June 30, 2008 line count filing deadline for IAS; and (ii) a request by CommuniGroup of Jackson, Inc. for waiver of the of the September 30, 2008 line count filing deadline for IAS, HCLS and HCMS. Comments are due January 5, 2009, and reply comments are due January 21, 2009.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

12/03/08
Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. Withdrawal: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants Virgin Mobile's request to withdraw its petition for designation as an ETC in Massachusetts.
Order: Word | Acrobat | text

12/03/08
Hopi Telecommunications, Inc.: WCB seeks comment on (i) a request by Hopi Telecommunications, Inc. for waiver of the October 1, 2008 annual certification for ICLS; and (ii) a request by Etex Telephone Cooperative for waiver of the October 1, 2008 projected-data filing deadline for LSS.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | text

11/28/08
U.S. Virgin Islands Telephone Corp. High-Cost Abeyance Request: This letter directs USAC to hold in abeyance until February 28, 2009, any adjustments in universal service fund high-cost loop support for the Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation.
Letter: Word | Acrobat | Text

11/6/08
Commission Responds to D.C. Circuit Mandamus and Joint Board Recommended Decision and Seeks Further Comment on Comprehensive Reform: The Commission addresses compensation rates for ISP-bound traffic, declines to adopt the Joint Board's recommendations for reforming distribution of high-cost universal service support, and seeks further comment on comprehensive universal service and intercarrier compensation reform. Comments will be due 14 days after publication in the Federal Register, and reply comments will be due 21 days after Federal Register publication.
Order: Word | Acrobat
Martin Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell Joint Statement: Word | Acrobat

10/22/08
HTC Services, Inc.
Wireline Competition Bureau denies a petition by HTC for a waiver of the filing deadlines in section 54.802(a) of the Commission rules.

Order: Word | Acrobat

10/22/08
Wireline Competition Bureau Addresses Universal Service Fund Waiver Requests
Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) grants six separate requests, filed by Advanced Communications Technology, Inc. (ACT); Allo Communications (Allo); Aventure Communication Technology, LLC (Aventure); CC Cellular; PrairieWave Black Hills, LLC (PrairieWave); and Texas RSA 1 Limited Partnership dba XIT Wireless (XIT), for waivers of various high-cost universal service support filing deadlines set forth in sections 54.307 and 54.802 of the Commission’s rules.

Order: Word | Acrobat

10/6/08
National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc., (NECA) and Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)
Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on NECA's and USAC's proposed modifications to universal service high-cost loop and local switching support formulas, respectively, for average schedule companies. Pursuant to Commission rules, each year NECA and USAC submit modifications to these formulas. The proposed formulas, if approved, will be effective January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Comments are due November 5, 2008 and reply comments are due November 20, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

9/17/08
Ballard Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation, Inc. and HTC Communications, LLC: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on two petitions for waiver of universal service high-cost filing deadlines submitted by Ballard Rural Telephone Cooperative Corporation, Inc. and HTC Communications, LLC of the Commission's rules. Comments are due October 17, 2008, and reply comments are due November 3, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

8/27/08
Sacred Wind Communications, Inc. And Qwest Corporation: In this order, WCB grants Sacred Wind's request to extend the timing of our previously granted waiver of sections 36.611 and 36.612, permitting Sacred Wind to receive immediate high-cost loop support based on projected costs, subject to true-up, to the end of 2008. Sacred Wind requests this extension because approval of the transaction by the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission was delayed until December 15, 2006, which resulted in only 15 days of network costs during calendar year 2006 (actual costs for 2006 are the basis for 2008 high-cost support payments).

Order: Word | Acrobat

8/25/08
WCB Grants WeavTel Petition for Waiver of USF Filing Deadline
In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants Westgate Communications LLC d/b/a WeavTel waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.903(a) of the Commission's rules to allow WeavTel to receive universal service high-cost support.

Order: Word | Acrobat

8/22/08
WCB Seeks Agreement with Study Area Redefinitions: In its May 1, 2008 Interim Cap Order, the Commission redefined the service areas of several rural telephone companies in New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Pursuant to section 54.207(d) of the Commission's rules, the Wireline Competition Bureau sent the order to the respective state commissions seeking their agreement with the redefinitions.

New York letter: Acrobat | Text
North Carolina letter: Acrobat | Text
Pennsylvania letter: Acrobat | Text
Tennessee letter: Acrobat | Text
Virginia letter: Acrobat | Text

8/20/08
High-Cost Support Filing Waiver Petitions
The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on petitions for waiver of filing deadlines submitted by H&B Cable Service, Inc.; Flat Rock Telephone Co-op, Inc.; Western New Mexico Telephone Company, Inc.; Yukon Telephone Company, Inc.; Windstream Communications, Inc.; and Northern New England Telephone Operation LLC and Telephone Operating Company of Vermont LLC (FairPoint Communications). Comments on the petitions are due September 19, 2008, and reply comments are due October 6, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

8/12/08
United States Cellular Corporation
The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by United States Cellular Corporation to amend its eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation in Tennessee. Comments are due September 11, 2008 and reply comments are due September 26, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

8/7/08
Virgin Mobile USA, L.P.
The Wireline Competition Bureau grants the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable's motion for a 21-day extension of the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments in response to Virgin Mobile's petition seeking limited eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation in Massachusetts. Comments are due August 21, 2008 and reply comments are due September 5, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

8/1/08
Mid-Com Request for Review Public Notice: Mid-Communications, Inc. (Mid-Com) requests review of a decision by USAC to adjust Mid-Com's local switching support retroactively for calendar year 2006. Comments on the request are due September 2, 2008, and reply comments are due September 17, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | Text

7/31/08
SADDLEBACK et al. ANNUAL ETC REPORT FILING WAIVER ORDER
In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) grants petitions for waiver filed by Saddleback Communications (Saddleback), Pine Belt Cellular, Inc. (Pine Belt), and IT&E Overseas, Inc, (IT&E) seeking waiver of the annual eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) filing deadlines set forth in section 54.209(b) of the Commission’s rules for 2006 and 2007. The Bureau also grants a petition for waiver filed by Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. (Gila River) seeking waiver of the annual ETC filing deadline for 2006. Finally, the Bureau grants Gila River’s petition for waiver of the 2007 annual ETC filing deadline, but denies Gila River's request for a prospective waiver of section 54.209 for all future annual ETC filings.

Order: Word | Acrobat

7/28/08
NEP Cellcorp ETC Public Notice: NEP Cellcorp, Inc. (NEP) asks the Commission to amend its decision to deny NEP’s request for eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) designation in the rural study area of North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company. Comments are due August 27, 2008 and reply comments are due September 11, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | Text

7/1/08
Virgin Mobile Massachusetts ETC Petition Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. (Virgin Mobile) for a limited designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier in Massachusetts. Virgin Mobile is seeking eligibility for Lifeline universal service support only. Comments on the petition are due July 31, 2008 and reply comments are due August 15, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat | Text

6/17/08
Public Notice: Northwest Iowa Telephone Company: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Northwest Iowa Telephone Company for waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.301(e)(1) of the Commission's rules for receipt of universal service support. Comments on the petition are due July 17, 2008 and reply comments are due August 1, 2008.

Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

6/10/08
Order: Competitive ETC Interim Cap Erratum: The Telecommunications Access Policy Division released an erratum correcting a May 1, 2008 order, which capped high-cost universal service support to competitive eligible telecommunications carriers.

Order: Word | Acrobat

6/6/08
Public Notice: Palmerton/Northeastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company Waiver Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Palmerton Telephone Company and Northeastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company for waiver of a filing deadline required by section 54.301(e)(1) of the Commission’s rules for receipt of universal service funds. Comments are due July 7, 2008, and reply comments are due July 22, 2008.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat