Title 47

PART 54

Part 54 - Universal Service

PART 54 - UNIVERSAL SERVICE Authority:47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 155, 201, 205, 214, 219, 220, 229, 254, 303(r), 403, 1004, and 1302 unless otherwise noted. Link to an amendment published at 86 FR 2946, Jan. 13, 2021. Source:62 FR 32948, June 17, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

47:3.0.1.1.7.1SUBPART A
Subpart A - General Information
47:3.0.1.1.7.1.7.1SECTION 54.1
   54.1 Basis and purpose.
47:3.0.1.1.7.1.7.2SECTION 54.5
   54.5 Terms and definitions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.1.7.3SECTION 54.7
   54.7 Intended use of federal universal service support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.1.7.4SECTION 54.8
   54.8 Prohibition on participation: suspension and debarment.
47:3.0.1.1.7.1.7.5SECTION 54.9
   54.9 Prohibition on use of funds.
47:3.0.1.1.7.1.7.6SECTION 54.10
   54.10 xxx
47:3.0.1.1.7.1.7.7SECTION 54.11
   54.11 xxx
47:3.0.1.1.7.2SUBPART B
Subpart B - Services Designated for Support
47:3.0.1.1.7.2.7.1SECTION 54.101
   54.101 Supported services for rural, insular, and high cost areas.
47:3.0.1.1.7.3SUBPART C
Subpart C - Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support
47:3.0.1.1.7.3.7.1SECTION 54.201
   54.201 Definition of eligible telecommunications carriers, generally.
47:3.0.1.1.7.3.7.2SECTION 54.202
   54.202 Additional requirements for Commission designation of eligible telecommunications carriers.
47:3.0.1.1.7.3.7.3SECTION 54.203
   54.203 Designation of eligible telecommunications carriers for unserved areas.
47:3.0.1.1.7.3.7.4SECTION 54.205
   54.205 Relinquishment of universal service.
47:3.0.1.1.7.3.7.5SECTION 54.207
   54.207 Service areas.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4SUBPART D
Subpart D - Universal Service Support for High Cost Areas
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.1SECTION 54.302
   54.302 Monthly per-line limit on universal service support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.2SECTION 54.303
   54.303 Eligible Capital Investment and Operating Expenses.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.3SECTION 54.304
   54.304 Administration of Connect America Fund Intercarrier Compensation Replacement.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.4SECTION 54.305
   54.305 Sale or transfer of exchanges.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.5SECTION 54.306
   54.306 Alaska Plan for Rate-of-Return Carriers Serving Alaska.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.6SECTION 54.307
   54.307 Support to a competitive eligible telecommunications carrier.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.7SECTION 54.308
   54.308 Broadband public interest obligations for recipients of high-cost support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.8SECTION 54.309
   54.309 Connect America Fund Phase II Public Interest Obligations.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.9SECTION 54.310
   54.310 Connect America Fund for Price Cap Territories - Phase II.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.10SECTION 54.311
   54.311 Connect America Fund Alternative-Connect America Cost Model Support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.11SECTION 54.312
   54.312 Connect America Fund for Price Cap Territories - Phase I.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.12SECTION 54.313
   54.313 Annual reporting requirements for high-cost recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.16SECTION 54.314
   54.314 Certification of support for eligible telecommunications carriers.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.17SECTION 54.315
   54.315 Application process for Connect America Fund phase II support distributed through competitive bidding.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.18SECTION 54.316
   54.316 Broadband deployment reporting and certification requirements for high-cost recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.21SECTION 54.317
   54.317 Alaska Plan for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers serving remote Alaska.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.22SECTION 54.318
   54.318 [Reserved]
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.23SECTION 54.319
   54.319 Elimination of high-cost support in areas with 100 percent coverage by an unsubsidized competitor.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.24SECTION 54.320
   54.320 Compliance and recordkeeping for the high-cost program.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.25SECTION 54.321
   54.321 Reporting and certification requirements for Alaska Plan participants.
47:3.0.1.1.7.4.7.26SECTION 54.322
   54.322 Public interest obligations and performance requirements, reporting requirements, and non-compliance mechanisms for mobile legacy high-cost support recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5SUBPART E
Subpart E - Universal Service Support for Low-Income Consumers
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.1SECTION 54.400
   54.400 Terms and definitions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.2SECTION 54.401
   54.401 Lifeline defined.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.3SECTION 54.403
   54.403 Lifeline support amount.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.4SECTION 54.404
   54.404 The National Lifeline Accountability Database.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.5SECTION 54.405
   54.405 Carrier obligation to offer Lifeline.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.6SECTION 54.406
   54.406 Activities of representatives of eligible telecommunications carriers.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.7SECTION 54.407
   54.407 Reimbursement for offering Lifeline.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.8SECTION 54.408
   54.408 Minimum service standards.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.9SECTION 54.409
   54.409 Consumer qualification for Lifeline.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.10SECTION 54.410
   54.410 Subscriber eligibility determination and certification.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.11SECTION 54.411
   54.411 [Reserved]
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.12SECTION 54.412
   54.412 Off reservation Tribal lands designation process.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.13SECTION 54.413
   54.413 Link Up for rural Tribal lands.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.14SECTION 54.414
   54.414 Reimbursement for Tribal Link Up.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.15SECTION 54.416
   54.416 Annual certifications by eligible telecommunications carriers.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.16SECTION 54.417
   54.417 Recordkeeping requirements.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.17SECTION 54.419
   54.419 Validity of electronic signatures.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.18SECTION 54.420
   54.420 Low income program audits.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.19SECTION 54.422
   54.422 Annual reporting for eligible telecommunications carriers that receive low-income support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.5.7.20SECTION 54.423
   54.423 Budget.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6SUBPART F
Subpart F - Universal Service Support for Schools and Libraries
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.1SECTION 54.500
   54.500 Terms and definitions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.2SECTION 54.501
   54.501 Eligible recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.3SECTION 54.502
   54.502 Eligible services.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.4SECTION 54.503
   54.503 Competitive bidding requirements.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.5SECTION 54.504
   54.504 Requests for services.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.6SECTION 54.505
   54.505 Discounts.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.7SECTION 54.506
   54.506 [Reserved]
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.8SECTION 54.507
   54.507 Cap.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.9SECTION 54.508-54.509
   54.508-54.509 [Reserved]
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.10SECTION 54.511
   54.511 Ordering services.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.11SECTION 54.513
   54.513 Resale and transfer of services.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.12SECTION 54.514
   54.514 Payment for discounted services.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.13SECTION 54.515
   54.515 Distributing support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.14SECTION 54.516
   54.516 Auditing and inspections.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.15SECTION 54.517-54.518
   54.517-54.518 [Reserved]
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.16SECTION 54.519
   54.519 State telecommunications networks.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.17SECTION 54.520
   54.520 Children's Internet Protection Act certifications required from recipients of discounts under the federal universal service support mechanism for schools and libraries.
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.18SECTION 54.522
   54.522 [Reserved]
47:3.0.1.1.7.6.7.19SECTION 54.523
   54.523 Payment for the non-discount portion of supported services.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7SUBPART G
Subpart G - Universal Service for Rural Health Care Program
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7SUBJGRP 7
   Telecommunications Program
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7.1SECTION 54.600
   54.600 Terms and definitions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7.2SECTION 54.601
   54.601 Health care provider eligibility.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7.3SECTION 54.602
   54.602 Health care support mechanism.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7.4SECTION 54.603
   54.603 Consortia, telecommunications services, and existing contracts.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7.5SECTION 54.604
   54.604 Determining the urban rate.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7.6SECTION 54.605
   54.605 Determining the rural rate.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.7.7SECTION 54.606
   54.606 Calculating support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8SUBJGRP 8
   Healthcare Connect Fund Program
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.8SECTION 54.607
   54.607 Eligible recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.9SECTION 54.608
   54.608 Eligible service providers.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.10SECTION 54.609
   54.609 Designation of Consortium Leader.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.11SECTION 54.610
   54.610 Letters of agency (LOA).
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.12SECTION 54.611
   54.611 Health care provider contribution.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.13SECTION 54.612
   54.612 Eligible services.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.14SECTION 54.613
   54.613 Eligible equipment.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.15SECTION 54.614
   54.614 Eligible participant-constructed and owned network facilities for consortium applicants.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.16SECTION 54.615
   54.615 Off-site data centers and off-site administrative offices.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.17SECTION 54.616
   54.616 Upfront payments.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.18SECTION 54.617
   54.617 Ineligible expenses.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.8.19SECTION 54.618
   54.618 Data collection and reporting.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9SUBJGRP 9
   General Provisions
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.20SECTION 54.619
   54.619 Cap.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.21SECTION 54.620
   54.620 Annual filing requirements and commitments.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.22SECTION 54.621
   54.621 Filing window for requests and prioritization of support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.23SECTION 54.622
   54.622 Competitive bidding requirements and exemptions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.24SECTION 54.623
   54.623 Funding requests.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.25SECTION 54.624
   54.624 Site and service substitutions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.26SECTION 54.625
   54.625 Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) changes.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.27SECTION 54.626
   54.626 Service delivery deadline and extension requests.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.28SECTION 54.627
   54.627 Invoicing process and certifications.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.29SECTION 54.628
   54.628 Duplicate support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.30SECTION 54.629
   54.629 Prohibition on resale.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.31SECTION 54.630
   54.630 Election to offset support against annual universal service fund contribution.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.32SECTION 54.631
   54.631 Audits and recordkeeping.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.33SECTION 54.632
   54.632 Signature requirements for certifications.
47:3.0.1.1.7.7.9.34SECTION 54.633
   54.633 Validity of electronic signatures and records.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8SUBPART H
Subpart H - Administration
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.1SECTION 54.701
   54.701 Administrator of universal service support mechanisms.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.2SECTION 54.702
   54.702 Administrator's functions and responsibilities.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.3SECTION 54.703
   54.703 The Administrator's Board of Directors.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.4SECTION 54.704
   54.704 The Administrator's Chief Executive Officer.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.5SECTION 54.705
   54.705 Committees of the Administrator's Board of Directors.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.6SECTION 54.706
   54.706 Contributions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.7SECTION 54.707
   54.707 Audit controls.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.8SECTION 54.708
   54.708 De minimis exemption.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.9SECTION 54.709
   54.709 Computations of required contributions to universal service support mechanisms.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.10SECTION 54.711
   54.711 Contributor reporting requirements.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.11SECTION 54.712
   54.712 Contributor recovery of universal service costs from end users.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.12SECTION 54.713
   54.713 Contributors' failure to report or to contribute.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.13SECTION 54.715
   54.715 Administrative expenses of the Administrator.
47:3.0.1.1.7.8.10.14SECTION 54.717
   54.717 Audits of the Administrator.
47:3.0.1.1.7.9SUBPART I
Subpart I - Review of Decisions Issued by the Administrator
47:3.0.1.1.7.9.10.1SECTION 54.719
   54.719 Parties permitted to seek review of Administrator decision.
47:3.0.1.1.7.9.10.2SECTION 54.720
   54.720 Filing deadlines.
47:3.0.1.1.7.9.10.3SECTION 54.721
   54.721 General filing requirements.
47:3.0.1.1.7.9.10.4SECTION 54.722
   54.722 Review by the Wireline Competition Bureau or the Commission.
47:3.0.1.1.7.9.10.5SECTION 54.723
   54.723 Standard of review.
47:3.0.1.1.7.9.10.6SECTION 54.724
   54.724 Time periods for Commission approval of Administrator decisions.
47:3.0.1.1.7.9.10.7SECTION 54.725
   54.725 Universal service disbursements during pendency of a request for review and Administrator decision.
47:3.0.1.1.7.10SUBPART J
Subpart J - Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
47:3.0.1.1.7.10.10.1SECTION 54.801
   54.801 Use of competitive bidding for Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
47:3.0.1.1.7.10.10.2SECTION 54.802
   54.802 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund geographic areas, deployment obligations, and support disbursements.
47:3.0.1.1.7.10.10.3SECTION 54.803
   54.803 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund provider eligibility.
47:3.0.1.1.7.10.10.4SECTION 54.804
   54.804 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund application process.
47:3.0.1.1.7.10.10.5SECTION 54.805
   54.805 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund public interest obligations.
47:3.0.1.1.7.10.10.6SECTION 54.806
   54.806 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund reporting obligations, compliance, and recordkeeping.
47:3.0.1.1.7.11SUBPART K
Subpart K - Interstate Common Line Support Mechanism for Rate-of-Return Carriers
47:3.0.1.1.7.11.10.1SECTION 54.901
   54.901 Calculation of Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.11.10.2SECTION 54.902
   54.902 Calculation of CAF BLS Support for transferred exchanges.
47:3.0.1.1.7.11.10.3SECTION 54.903
   54.903 Obligations of rate-of-return carriers and the Administrator.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12SUBPART L
Subpart L - Mobility Fund and 5G Fund
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.1SECTION 54.1001
   54.1001 Mobility Fund - Phase I.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.2SECTION 54.1002
   54.1002 Geographic areas eligible for support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.3SECTION 54.1003
   54.1003 Provider eligibility.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.4SECTION 54.1004
   54.1004 Service to Tribal Lands.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.5SECTION 54.1005
   54.1005 Application process.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.6SECTION 54.1006
   54.1006 Public interest obligations.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.7SECTION 54.1007
   54.1007 Letter of credit.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.8SECTION 54.1008
   54.1008 Mobility Fund Phase I disbursements.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.9SECTION 54.1009
   54.1009 Annual reports.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.10SECTION 54.1010
   54.1010 Record retention for Mobility Fund Phase I.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.11SECTION 54.1011
   54.1011 5G Fund.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.12SECTION 54.1012
   54.1012 Geographic areas eligible for support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.13SECTION 54.1013
   54.1013 Applicant eligibility.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.14SECTION 54.1014
   54.1014 Application process.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.15SECTION 54.1015
   54.1015 Public interest obligations and performance requirements for 5G Fund support recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.16SECTION 54.1016
   54.1016 Letter of credit.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.17SECTION 54.1017
   54.1017 5G Fund support disbursements.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.18SECTION 54.1018
   54.1018 Annual reports.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.19SECTION 54.1019
   54.1019 Interim service and final service milestone reports.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.20SECTION 54.1020
   54.1020 Non-compliance measures for 5G Fund support recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.12.10.21SECTION 54.1021
   54.1021 Record retention for the 5G Fund.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13SUBPART M
Subpart M - High Cost Loop Support for Rate-of-Return Carriers
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.1SECTION 54.1301
   54.1301 General.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.2SECTION 54.1302
   54.1302 Calculation of incumbent local exchange carrier portion of nationwide loop cost expense adjustment for rate-of-return carriers.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.3SECTION 54.1303
   54.1303 Calculation of the rural growth factor.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.4SECTION 54.1304
   54.1304 Calculation of safety net additive.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.5SECTION 54.1305
   54.1305 Submission of information to the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA).
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.6SECTION 54.1306
   54.1306 Updating Information Submitted to the National Exchange Carrier Association.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.7SECTION 54.1307
   54.1307 Submission of Information by the National Exchange Carrier Association.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.8SECTION 54.1308
   54.1308 Study Area Total Unseparated Loop Cost.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.9SECTION 54.1309
   54.1309 National and study area average unseparated loop costs.
47:3.0.1.1.7.13.10.10SECTION 54.1310
   54.1310 Expense adjustment.
47:3.0.1.1.7.14SUBPART N
Subpart N - The Digital Opportunity Data Collection
47:3.0.1.1.7.14.10.1SECTION 54.1400
   54.1400 Purpose.
47:3.0.1.1.7.14.10.2SECTION 54.1401
   54.1401 Frequency of reports.
47:3.0.1.1.7.14.10.3SECTION 54.1402
   54.1402 Scope and content of filed reports.
47:3.0.1.1.7.14.10.4SECTION 54.1403
   54.1403 Authority to update the Digital Opportunity Data Collection.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15SUBPART O
Subpart O - Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.1SECTION 54.1501
   54.1501 Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and Connect USVI Fund - Stage 2 for service to fixed locations.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.2SECTION 54.1502
   54.1502 Geographic areas eligible for Stage 2 fixed support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.3SECTION 54.1503
   54.1503 Geographic area and locations to be served by Stage 2 fixed support recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.4SECTION 54.1504
   54.1504 Term of Stage 2 fixed support and phase-down of legacy fixed support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.5SECTION 54.1505
   54.1505 Stage 2 fixed support application process.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.6SECTION 54.1506
   54.1506 Stage 2 fixed support deployment milestones.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.7SECTION 54.1507
   54.1507 Stage 2 public interest obligations for service to fixed locations.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.8SECTION 54.1508
   54.1508 Letter of credit for stage 2 fixed support recipients.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.9SECTION 54.1509
   54.1509 Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund - Stage 2 for mobile service.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.10SECTION 54.1510
   54.1510 Stage 2 mobile carrier eligibility.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.11SECTION 54.1511
   54.1511 Appropriate uses of Stage 2 mobile support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.12SECTION 54.1512
   54.1512 Geographic area eligible for Stage 2 mobile support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.13SECTION 54.1513
   54.1513 Provision of Stage 2 mobile support.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.14SECTION 54.1514
   54.1514 Stage 2 mobile additional annual reporting.
47:3.0.1.1.7.15.10.15SECTION 54.1515
   54.1515 Disaster preparation and response measures.