The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service was established in March 1996 to make recommendations to implement the universal service provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1996 Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The Joint Board is comprised of FCC Commissioners, State Utility Commissioners, and a consumer advocate representative.
Joint Board and Its Members
- Universal Service Federal-State Joint Board List [Acrobat]
November 2010
11/4/10
Recommended Decision: The Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service agrees that universal service programs need to better serve
low-income participants and support broadband service.
News Release:
Word
|
Acrobat
Recommended Decision:
Word
|
Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Clyburn (Joint Board Chair):
Word
|
Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Copps:
Word
|
Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Baker:
Word
|
Acrobat
Chairman Ray Baum:
Word
|
Acrobat
Commissioner Larry S. Landis:
Word
|
Acrobat
Board Member John D. Burke:
Word
|
Acrobat
Chairman James H. Cawley:
Word
|
Acrobat
Senior Assistant Attorney General Simon Ffitch:
Word
|
Acrobat
June 2010
6/15/2010
Public Notice: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
Seeks Comment on Lifeline and Link-Up Eligibility, Verification, and Outreach
Issues Referred to Joint Board.
Word |
Acrobat
December 2009
12/17/2009
Order: This order appoints Commissioners Clyburn and Baker to
the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and the Federal-State Joint
Board on Separations, and appoints the two commissioners and Chairman
Genachowski to the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications
Services.
Word |
Acrobat
September 2009
9/23/2009
Public Notice and Letter: Chairman Genachowski announces the
selection of Ellis Jacobs, as representative for low-income consumers, and Scott
K. Bergmann, as representative, for CMRS providers, to fill two vacancies on the
USAC Board of Directors. Each was the only nominee for their respective
seats.
Public Notice:Word
|
Acrobat
Letter:
Word |
Acrobat
May 2008
5/20/2008
Order: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB)
waives on its own motion sections 54.702(b)(1) and 54.703(c) of the Commission’s
rules that specify that one member of the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) Board of Director’s shall be nominated by and shall represent
“interexchange carriers with more than $3 billion in annual operating revenues.”
WCB finds good cause exists to waive these rules to enable the Commission to
designate a member USAC Board of Directors for the seat from an interexchange
carrier, regardless of its annual operating revenues.
Word |
Acrobat
November 2007
11/20/07
Recommended Decision: In this Recommended Decision, the
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service recommends that the Federal
Communications Commission address the long-term reform issues facing the
high-cost universal service support system and make fundamental revisions in the
structure of existing Universal Service mechanisms.
Word |
Acrobat
FCC Chairman Martin Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Copps Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
FCC Commissioner Tate Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
Commissioner Ray Baum Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
Chairman Lisa Polak Edgar Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
Commissioner Larry S. Landis Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
Commissioner John D. Burke Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
Assistant Attorney General Public Counsel Simon ffitch Statement:
Word |
Acrobat
September 2007
9/28/07
Order: Pursuant to sections 254(a)(1) and 410 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the Federal Communications Commission
(Commission) appoints Simon ffitch, Assistant Attorney General, Chief, Public
Counsel Section, Attorney General of Washington, to serve on the Federal-State
Joint Board on Universal Service, effective October 1, 2007.
Word |
Acrobat
9/6/07
Public Notice: The Universal Service Joint Board
continues to work on the issue of fundamental reform. This document
reflects a tentative agreement among the board members on the principles
that may guide their deliberations.
Word |
Acrobat
June 2007
6/12/07
Order: The Commission released an order granting an extension
of time for parties to file reply comments in response to the May 14, 2007
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which sought comment on the Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service’s recommendation that the Commission adopt an
interim, emergency cap on high-cost universal service support for competitive
eligible telecommunications carriers. The reply comment date is changed from
June 13, 2007, to June 21, 2007.
Word |
Acrobat
Reply Comments: Reply Comments filed 06/21/07.
May 2007
5/14/07
Public Notice: The Commission released a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, seeking comment on the Federal-State Joint Board on Unviersal
Service's recommendation that the Commission adopt an interim, emergency cap on
high-cost universal service support for competitive eligible telecommunications
carriers. The Commission set the comment and reply comment deadlines as 14 and
21 days, respectively, after publication of the Notice in the Federal Register.
On May 23, 2007, a summary of the Notice appeared in the Federal Register.
Comment Date: June 6, 2007. Reply Comment Date: June 13, 2007.
Word |
Acrobat
Comments: Comments filed 06/06/07.
5/14/07
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Commission released
a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, seeking comment on the Federal-State
Joint Board on Universal Service's recommendation that the Commission
adopt an interim, emergency cap on high-cost universal service support
for competitive eligible telecommunications carriers. The Commission set
the comment and reply comment deadlines as 14 and 21 days, respectively,
after publication of the Notice in the Federal Register.
Word |
Acrobat
Comments: filed 06/06/07.
5/1/07
News Release: 5/1/07, The Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service recommended that the Federal Communications Commission
take immediate action to rein in explosive growth in high-cost universal
service support disbursements. The Joint Board is also seeking comment
on proposals for long-term, comprehensive reform of the high-cost
program.
Word |
Acrobat
5/1/07
Public Notice: In this Public Notice, the Federal-State
Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) seeks comment on various
proposals to reform the high-cost universal service support mechanisms.
In a companion Recommended Decision released today, the Joint Board
recommends that the Commission take immediate action to rein in the
explosive growth in high-cost universal service support disbursements by
imposing an interim, emergency cap on the amount of high-cost support
that competitive eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may
receive. The Joint Board is committed to making further recommendations
regarding long term, comprehensive high-cost universal service reform
within six months. To assist the Joint Board in accomplishing this goal,
we seek comment on several proposals that have been placed in the record
since the close of the last comment cycle, as well as other possible
reforms. The Joint Board expects parties to put forth detailed,
comprehensive proposals within this comment cycle. Comments are due May
31, 2007 and reply comments are due July 2, 2007.
Word
Comments: Comments filed 05/31/07.
5/1/07
Recommended Decision: In this Recommended Decision, the
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board) recommends
that the Commission take immediate action to rein in the explosive
growth in high-cost universal service support disbursements.
Specifically, we recommend that the Commission impose an interim,
emergency cap on the amount of high-cost support that competitive
eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) may receive for each state
based on the average level of competitive ETC support distributed in
that state in 2006. We also recommend that the Joint Board and the
Commission further explore comprehensive high-cost distribution reform.
As part of that effort, today in a companion Public Notice we seek
comment on various proposals to reform the high-cost universal service
support mechanisms. We also commit to making further recommendations
regarding comprehensive high-cost universal service reform within six
months of this Recommended Decision. Finally, we recommend that the
Commission act on these further recommendations within one year from the
date of our further recommended decision.
Word |
Acrobat
February 2007
2/20/07
En Banc Hearing of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
Audio Recording
-
Remarks of Chairman Martin
Panel 1 - Audio
-
Panel 2 -
Audio
2/9/07
Public Notice: The Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal (Joint Board) will hold an en banc hearing on Tuesday,
February 20, 2007, in Washington, DC.
Word |
Acrobat
August 2006
08/11/06
Public Notice: Federal-State Joint Board on Universal
Service seeks comment on the merits of using auctions to determine high-cost
Universal Service support.
Word |
Acrobat
Comments: Comments filed 10/10/06.
Reply Comments: Reply Comments filed 11/08/06.
January 2006
1/24/2006
Order: In this order the Commission appoints the Honorable
Curt Stamp, Iowa Utilities Board, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on
Jurisdictional Separations.
Word |
Acrobat
November 2005
11/9/05
Order: This order appointed the Honorable Lisa Polak
Edgar and the Honorable Larry S. Landis to serve on the Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service.
Word |
Acrobat
September 2005
9/13/05
Order: The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal
Service Extends Deadlines for Filing Comments and Reply Comments on Universal
Service (Joint Board) Proposals to modify the Commission's rules relating to
high-cost universal service support.
Word |
Acrobat
August 2005
8/17/05
Order: The Federal-State Joint Board on Universal
Service seeks comment on Proposals to modify the Commission's rules relating to
high-cost Universal Service.
Word |
Acrobat
December 2004
12/30/04
Order: The Commission approves the nomination of two
state commissioners, Elliott Smith and Ray Baum, to the Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service.
Word |
Acrobat
November 2004
11/17/04
En Banc Hearing of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal
Service:
Transcripts |
Biographies |
Statements
September 2004
9/08/04
Order: DA 04-2895, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Wireline
Competition Bureau Seeks Nominations for Six Board Member Positions on Universal
Service Administrative Company Board of Directors.
Word |
Acrobat
June 2004
6/30/04
Order: FCC 04-152, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Federal
Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Robert Nelson, Commissioner of
the Michigan Public Service Commisssion, to serve on the Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service.
Word |
Acrobat
6/8/04
NPRM: FCC 04-127, CC Dkt. 96-45. In this Notice, we
seek comment on the Recommended Decision of the Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service concerning the process for designation of
eligible telecommunicatons carriers (ETCs) and the Commission's rules
regarding high-cost universal service support.
Word |
Acrobat
February 2004
2/27/04
Federal State Joint Board ("Joint Board") on Universal Service:
Joint Board provides its recommendations concerning the process for designation
of eligible telecommunications carriers and the Commission's rules regarding
high-cost universal service support.
Recommended Decision:
Word
|
Acrobat
Abernathy Statement:
Word
|
Acrobat
Jaber (Florida PSC) Statement:
Word
|
Acrobat
Dunleavy (NY State PSC) Statement:
Word
|
Acrobat
Gregg (West Virginia PSC) Statement:
Word
|
Acrobat
Martin Statement:
Word
|
Acrobat
Joint Separate Statement of Adelstein, Thompson (Regulatory Commission
of Alaska), and Rowe (Montana PSC):
Word
|
Acrobat
2/26/04
Public Notice: The Wireline Competition Bureau released
a draft of the revised Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-A)
for 2003 revenues.
Word |
Acrobat
Appendix A in Acrobat
Instructions in Acrobat
July 2003
7/31/03
En Banc Hearing: CC Dkt. 96-45. The Federal-State Joint
Board on Universal Service held En Banc hearing on the Portability of the
High-Cost Universal Service Support and the ETC designation process.
Panelist |Joint Board
7/11/03
Public Notice: DA 03-2294, CC Dkt. 96-45. The
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service to hold En Banc hearing
on the Portability of the High-Cost Universal Service Support and the
ETC designation process.
Word |
Acrobat
April 2003
4/2/03
Order: FCC 03J-2, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Federal-State
Joint Board on Universal Service released a Recommended Decision proposing
modifications to the Lifeline/Link-Up program.
Word |
Acrobat
February 2003
2/13/03
Order: FCC 03-29, CC Dkt. 96-45. The Commission
appoints the Honorable Jonathan S. Adelstein, to serve on a the Joint Board on
Universal Service.
Word |
Acrobat |
Text
July 2002
7/10/02
Recommended Decision: FCC 02J-1, CC Dkt. 96-45. Joint
Board issued its recommendation regarding the definition of services that should
be supported by federal universal service.
Word |
Acrobat |
Text
June 2002
6/21/02
Contribution Methodology Meeting: CC Dkt. 96-45.
Transcript of Commission Public Meeting on Universal Service Contribution
Methodology.
Part 1 |
Part 2 |
Part 3 |
Part 4 |
Part 5 |
Part 6
March 2002
3/28/02
Order: FCC 02-97, CC Docket No. 96-45. The Commission
appointed the Honorable Billy Jack Gregg, West Virginia Consumer Advocate, to
serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.
Word |
Acrobat |
Text
February 2002
2/15/02
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order:
FCC 02-41, CC Docket No. 96-45. Commission released a Notice seeking
comment on issues from the Ninth Report and Order remanded by the US Court of
Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The Commission referred the record collected to
the Joint Board for a recommended decision by August 15, 2002.
Word |
Acrobat |
Text
October 2001
10/11/01
Public Notice: FCC 01-J-2, CC Docket No. 96-45.
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service Seeks Comment on Review of
Lifeline and Link-Up Service For All Low-Income Consumers.
Word |
Acrobat |
Text
Schools & Libraries
High Cost Support
Hybrid Cost Proxy Model
Rural Health Care
Low Income
Contribution Factors & Administrative Filings
Federal-State Universal Service Joint Board
Joint Board Archives