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Public utilities

CenturyLink's 2021 Federal ETC Filing and Changes to FCC Form 481

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Iowa Public Utilities Commission has received a document from CenturyLink regarding their 2021 Federal ETC filing. The filing was submitted by Taylor Teepell, State Regulatory & Legislative Affairs Director at CenturyLink, on June 21, 2021. The document provides an overview of the changes to the FCC Form 481, which is used by Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) to report information to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The changes, which took effect with the filing due on July 1, 2018, include the removal of requirements for ETCs to report network outages, unfulfilled service requests, and pricing for voice and broadband services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FCC Form 481 is used by ETCs to report information to the FCC, including data on network outages, unfulfilled service requests, and pricing for voice and broadband services.
  • The FCC Form 481 has undergone changes since 2018, with requirements removed for ETCs to report network outages, unfulfilled service requests, and pricing for voice and broadband services.
  • The filing of the FCC Form 481 has changed so that ETCs no longer file duplicate copies with the FCC and state governments, and instead file one copy with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) through their online "E-File" portal.
  • The FCC requires ETCs to certify to the FCC pursuant to 47 C.F.R § 54.314 by October 1st of each year in order to continue receiving Federal high-cost support.
  • CenturyLink has requested certification from the Iowa Public Utilities Commission to continue receiving Federal high-cost support in Iowa by October 1, 2021.

Statistics:

  • ETCs must file information regarding their networks with the FCC by October 1st of each year, as required by 47 C.F.R § 54.313.
  • The FCC Form 481 no longer requires ETCs to report network outages, unfulfilled service requests, and pricing for voice and broadband services as of the filing due on July 1, 2018.
  • The FCC Form 481 is now filed with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) through their online "E-File" portal, rather than being filed with the FCC and state governments.

Sources:

  • United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), USF/ICC Transformation Order in WC Docket No. 10-90, et al.
  • CenturyLink, Letter to the Iowa Utilities Board, June 21, 2021.

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