Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) 

Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) is a term used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to identify any company eligible to receive federal universal service funding from the high-cost program and / or Lifeline program. A company must apply for ETC status on a state-specific basis by demonstrating the company meets qualifying criteria and will comply with program requirements. The following links provide forms and information regarding ETC applications and filing obligations. 

New ETC Status - This link provides application requirements in order to be granted ETC status by the Missouri Public Service Commission for Federal USF, and Missouri USF if requested, funding.

Reporting and Filing Obligations

ETC Annual Filing (Form 481 & Officer's Certificate) - Must be filed by all companies who have obtained ETC status from the PSC, including wireless ETCs, by July 1 or the following business day if July 1 falls on a weekend or holiday (Officer's Certificate / e-Filing Instructions).    

Annual verification of a Lifeline subscriber’s continued eligibility (Form 555) - Must be filed by all companies who have obtained ETC status from the PSC, including wireless ETCs by January 31 (e-Filing Instructions).
More information on Form 555 can be found on USAC’s website.

Other ETC Filings - If an ETC has any type of filing that does not pertain to Form 481 or Form 555, then the filing should be submitted as an ETC Informational Filing (e-Filing Instructions).

Company Representatives - All ETCs must ensure company representative information with the PSC is current. Check EFIS (Electronic Filing & Information System) to search for a company's representatives (Search Instructions).