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Universal Service Fund

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Overview

​The Universal Service Fund (USF) provides funding that helps Wisconsin residents get essential and advanced telecommunications services at lower or no-cost. The USF funds a number of programs and grants to meet this goal.

USF Grant Programs

  • Lifeline Outreach Grant Program: this program funds organizations to promote the Lifeline program.
  • Nonprofit Access Grant Program: this program funds nonprofit organizations working to make telecommunications more accessible and useful to Wisconsin residents. 
  • Telemedicine Equipment Grant Program: this program supports the purchase of new and innovative medical telecommunications equipment to provide telehealth services for medical, mental, and dental health in rural or underserved areas of the state, or to underserved populations or persons with disabilities​.

USF Programs

  • Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP):​​ helps​ people with disabilities to buy the special equipment they need to use basic telephone services. 

  • Lifeline: this program helps eligible low-income households to reduce the cost of essential telecommunications service.  

  • High Rate Assistance Credit​: this program for providers is NOT active. This program may activate if rates for voice service exceed certain thresholds. Current rates do not exceed the threshold. ​​​

Universal Service Fund Council

The PSC is responsible for the policies and procedures of the USF and the programs the Commission supports. A Universal Service Fund Council (USFC) – consisting of representatives of telecommunications service providers and consumers in the state – assist the P​SC with its USF responsibilities. 

The USF and USF Council​ were established by the 1993 Wisconsin Act 496 and are governed by state statutes and administrative code rules​. 

Universal Service Fund Reports to the Legislature​​

Biennial Reports

The PSC provides biennial reports to the legislature as required by Wis. Stat. § 196.218 (5r). To view the most recent Universal Serivce Fund Biennial Reports, visit the Other Biennial Reports webpage.

USF Financial Statements 

The USF is accounted for as a special revenue fund, which is a governmental fund. USF Financial Statements annually provide a detailed, short-term view of USF finances that assists in determining whether there will be adequate resources available to meet the current needs of the USF.​

​​USF Financial Statements for 6/30/2019 and 6/30/2020​

For More Informati​on

Questions about the USF and USF Council should be directed to...

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