Rules & Orders
Rules
High Cost program Rules. 47 C.F.R. Sections 54.302-320 are the rules governing the federal universal service fund for this program.
Orders
USF/ICC Transformation Order (FCC 11-161) – Reformed and modernized the universal service and intercarrier compensation systems to ensure that robust, affordable voice and broadband service, both fixed and mobile, are available throughout the nation
Rural Broadband Experiments (RBE) Report and Order (FCC 14-5) – Implemented a diverse set of experiments and data collection initiatives to determine how customers are affected by the transformation of voice communications services.
April 2014 Connect America Order (FCC 14-54) – Implemented continued reforms to modernize universal service for the 21st century.
Rural Broadband Experiments (RBE) Report and Order (DA 14-98) – Finalized decisions to use Connect America funding for rural broadband experiments to deploy broadband to consumers.
Connect America Phase II Model Order (FCC 14-190) – Finalized the decisions necessary to proceed with the offer of support to price cap carriers
2016 Rate-of-Return Reform Order (FCC 16-33) – Established the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM), which gives carriers a set amount of monthly support over a 10-year term to deploy broadband at speeds of up to 25 Mbps downstream/3 Mbps upstream (25/3 Mbps). The order required carriers to decide whether to elect ACAM support or remain with a modified version of the legacy support mechanisms, Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support (CAF BLS) and High Cost Loop (HCL) Support. For more information, see our Rate-of-Return Reform webpage.
Connect America Phase II Auction Order (FCC 16-64) – Implemented a competitive bidding process for Phase II of the Connect America Fund
Alaska Plan Order (FCC 16-115) – Adopted an integrated plan to address both fixed and mobile voice and broadband service in the state of Alaska
ACS Order (FCC 16-143) – Adopted tailored service obligations for Alaska Communications Systems (ACS)
Rate-of-Return Order (DA 16-661) – Addressed Rate-of-Return budget control, operation expense limitation and capital investment allowance. For more information, see our Rate-of-Return Reform webpage.
Mobility Fund Phase II Order (FCC 17-11) – Adopted the framework for the Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) and Tribal Mobility Fund Phase II funds.
Mobility Fund Phase II Challenge Process Order (FCC 17-102) – Implements a challenge process that will direct Mobility Fund Phase II support.
Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Stage 1 Order (FCC 18-57) – Established the Uniendo a Puerto Rico Fund and the Connect USVI Fund to rebuild, improve and expand voice and broadband networks in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
2018 Performance Measures Order (DA 18-710) – Adopted requirements promoting greater accountability for certain recipients of Connect America Fund (CAF) high-cost universal service support. For more information, see our Performance Measures Testing webpage.
2018 Rate-of-Return Reform Order (FCC 18-176) – Made a revised ACAM offer to carriers that had previously elected ACAM support, offering them additional funding to meet expanded broadband deployment obligations. This order also established a new ACAM II fund open to carriers that had remained on CAF BLS support, and adopted a new budget and new broadband deployment obligations for carriers that opt to remain with CAF BLS. For more information, see our Rate-of-Return Reform webpage.
CAF Phase I Phase-down Order (FCC 19-8) – Adopted a transition framework to phase down Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase I frozen support in areas where CAF Phase II auction support is awarded.
Puerto Rico and USVI Stage 2 Order (FCC 19-95) – Allocated Stage 2 funding to rebuild, improve and expand communications networks in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
2019 Performance Measures Order (FCC 19-104) – Adopted requirements promoting greater accountability for certain recipients of Connect America Fund (CAF) high-cost universal service support. For more information, see our Performance Measures Testing webpage.
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Report and Order (FCC 20-5) – Adopted the framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
5G Fund for Rural America (FCC 20-150) – Established the 5G fund to support the deployment of state-of-the-art wireless networks.
2020 Performance Measures Order (DA 20‐1510) – Clarified the Performance Measures Reconsideration Order to provide greater certainty to carriers.
ELAP Protective Order (DA 21-318) – Adopted Protective Order for Eligible Locations Adjustment Process
Enhanced ACAM Order (FCC 23-60) – Adopted the Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model fund to bring 100/20 Mbps speeds to all eligible locations.
CAF II Auction ELAP Adjustment Order (DA 23-117) – Concluded the Eligible Locations Adjustment Process (ELAP) for the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II Auction.
2023 Rate-of-Return Reform Order (FCC 23-118) – Deferred the commencement of the next five-year deployment obligation term for legacy rate-of-return carriers receiving CAF BLS in 2024 until January 1, 2025
Enhanced ACAM Order (DA 23-778) – Established the parameters for determining Enhanced ACAM support offers, a methodology for adjusting support when updated deployment obligations change the number of locations a carrier is obligated to deploy to, and provided details regarding Enhanced A-CAM carriers’ performance measures testing requirements.
Administrative Order (FCC 23-87) – Amended existing rules and requirements governing the management and administration of the High Cost program.