High Cost & Low Income Committee

The High Cost & Low Income Committee consists of eleven USAC board members, including two incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) representatives (one representing rural telephone companies and one representing non-rural telephone companies), one interexchange (IXC) carrier representative, one wireless representative, one competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) representative, one low income representative, one state consumer advocate representative, one state telecommunications regulator representative, two at-large members, and USAC’s chief executive officer. Minutes for the High Cost & Low Income Committee meetings are available online.

Members of the Committee

Name	Representing
Olivia Wein, Chair	At-Large
Indra Sehdev Chalk, Vice Chair	Wireless Provider
Sheba Chacko	Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
Sarah Freeman	State Telecommunications Regulators
Anisa Green	Interexchange Carrier
Stephanie Polk	Non-Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
Kara Semmler	Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
Angela Siefer	Low Income Consumers
Jeff Waller	State Consumer Advocates
Joan Wade	At-Large
Radha Sekar	Chief Executive Officer

The High Cost & Low Income Committee has the power and authority to act on behalf of USAC to make decisions concerning:

• how USAC projects demand for the High Cost and Lifeline programs;
• development of applications and associated instructions as needed for the High Cost and Lifeline programs;
• administration of the application process, including activities to ensure compliance with Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations;
• performance of audits of beneficiaries under the High Cost and Lifeline programs; and
• development and implementation of other functions unique to the High Cost and Lifeline programs.