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The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

The Universal Service Administrative Company (www.usac.org/default.aspx ) 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 of the Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), ensures that consumers in all regions of the nation have access to and pay rates for telecommunications services that are reasonably comparable to those services provided and rates paid in urban areas. 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 High Cost Loop support provides support for the "last mile" of connection for rural incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) in service areas where the cost to provide this service exceeds 115% of the national average cost per line. There also was a limited amount of HCL support for non-rural ILECs, which was known as interim hold harmless support. At present, there are no non-rural companies that receive interim hold harmless support..

Local Switching Support Local Switching Support is designed to help carriers recoup some of the high fixed switching costs of providing service to fewer customers. LSS helps keep customer rates comparable to more densely populated urban areas.

Long Term Support 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 Interstate Access Support helps to offset interstate access charges to reduce long distance charges for customers. FCC rules target IAS to $650 million annually. IAS is targeted to the density zones that have the greatest need for it and is provided on a portable, per-line basis. 

High Cost Model Support High Cost Model support keeps the cost for telephone service comparable in all areas (urban and rural) of a state. HCM support is distributed at the wire center level and is targeted to carriers serving wire centers with forward-looking costs that exceed the national benchmark.

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 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.

Rural Health Care Program 
www.universalservice.org/rhc/
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.universalservice.org/sl/
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.usac.org/sl/tools/reference-area.aspx
This website provides access to frequently asked questions about USAC's Schools and Libraries Program.