Recent News

General (Including Non-USF Programs)

  • On April 4, 2022, the transition from the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) took place.  The FCC via Public Notice (DA 22-371) provided information about the transition.


Lifeline/Emergency Broadband Benefit/Affordable Connectivity Program

  • On April 1, 2022, the WCB announced via Public Notice (DA-22-352) that the FCC Form 481 Portal is now open for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) required to file the FCC Form 481 annual reports.  The WCB also granted a limited waiver to all ETCs of the July 1, 2022 deadline because Office of Management and Budget approval of modifications to the associated information collection remains pending.  WCB will announce the new filing deadline at a later date.  USAC is hosting a webinar on May 17 at 2:00 PM EDT for ETCs to learn more about the Form 481 filing process.
 
  • On April 15, 2022, the WCB granted a limited, 60-day waiver to the non-usage rule for ACP supported services for which the subscriber does not pay a fee for participating providers.  During the waiver period, participating provider must continue to comply with the non-usage rules that were in place for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program.  The non-usage rule for ACP supported services for which the subscriber does not pay a fee for participating providers is now effective on June 14, 2022.
 


High Cost Fund Programs

  • On April 1, 2022, the WCB announced via Public Notice (DA-22-352) that the FCC Form 481 Portal is now open for eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) required to file the FCC Form 481 annual reports.  The WCB also granted a limited waiver to all ETCs of the July 1, 2022 deadline because Office of Management and Budget approval of modifications to the associated information collection remains pending.  WCB will announce the new filing deadline at a later date.  USAC is hosting a webinar on May 17 at 2:00 PM EDT for ETCs to learn more about the Form 481 filing process.
 
  • The WCB extended via Public Notice (DA 22-301) the deadline for individuals, non-governmental entities such as small businesses, and governmental entities, to initiate the registration process for participating in the Eligible Locations Adjustment Process (ELAP) as a stakeholder. Specifically, the WCB extends the original deadline, Friday, March 25, 2022, 11:59 PM ET, to Friday, May 13, 2022, 11:59 PM ET.
 
  • USAC’s High Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) portal is now open.  Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) carriers can submit their deployment information in the HUBB.  RDOF carriers have until March 1, 2023 to file and certify data with the HUBB showing where they have built out mass-market, high-speed Internet service since July 1, 2019, but USAC encourages carriers to file early. Carriers that have no locations to report must still log into the HUBB and certify no locations to upload” by March 1, 2023.


Schools and Libraries (E-Rate)/Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF)

  • The WCB released an Order (DA 22-231) waiving the funding year 2022 FCC Form 471 application filing window deadline for all new Tribal library entities that file FCC Form 471 applications within by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
 
  • The WCB released an Order (DA 22-284) granting a Motion of Extension of Time in the Promoting Fair and Open Competitive Bidding in the E-Rate Program proceeding. The Order extends the comment and reply comment dates to April 27, 2022 and May 27, 2022, respectively.
 
  • The E-Rate program will host a webinar on Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) and Selective Review Process Webinar on May 12, 2022 at 2:00 PM EDT.  Registration information is available here.

Rural Health Care (RHC)

  • On April 12, 2022, the WCB released an Order (DA 22-401) extending the waiver of the requirement to use the Telecom Program Rates Database for determining rural rates for health care providers in the State of Alaska for funding year 2023.
  
  • Reply comments for a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 22-15) seeking comment on revisions to the Commission’s Rural Health Care Program are due on or before May 16, 2022. The rules designed to ensure that rural healthcare providers receive funding necessary to access the broadband and telecommunications services necessary to provide vital healthcare services while limiting costly inefficiencies and the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse.
 
  • All filers that wish to be considered for RHC support for funding year 2022 must submit their funding requests by Wednesday, June 1 before 11:59 PM EDT.
 
  • The WCB announced via Public Notice (DA 22-260) a July 31, 2022 deadline for Round 2 COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding recipients to purchase eligible devices and implement eligible services.