*Pages 1--3 from Microsoft Word - 23613.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET, S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 DA 02- 3387 News media information 202/ 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202/ 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Released: December 9, 2002 Proposed First Quarter 2003 Universal Service Contribution Factor CC Docket No. 96- 45 In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau announces the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter of 2003. 1 Under section 54.709 of the Commission’s rules, the quarterly contribution factor is based on the ratio of total projected quarterly costs of the federal universal service support mechanisms to total end- user interstate and international telecommunications revenues, net of prior period actual contributions. 2 On an interim basis, however, funds collected in the schools and libraries support mechanism that are unused shall be applied to stabilize universal service contributions in accordance with the public interest and consistent with section 54.709( b). 3 As discussed in greater detail below, the fourth quarter 2002 contribution factor of 0.072805 will therefore remain unchanged for the first quarter of 2003. USAC Projections of Demand and Administrative Expenses Pursuant to section 54.709( a)( 3) of the Commission’s rules, 4 the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) submitted the following projections of demand and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2003: 5 1 See 47 C. F. R. § 54. 709( a). 2 See 47 C. F. R. § 54. 709( a)( 2). 3 See 47 C. F. R. § 54. 507( a). See also Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, CC Docket No. 02- 6, First Report and Order, FCC 02- 175 (rel. June 13, 2002) (Schools First Report and Order). 4 47 C. F. R. § 54. 709( a)( 3). 5 See Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms Fund Size Projections for the First Quarter 2003, available at (filed November 1, 2002) (USAC Filing for First Quarter 2003 Projections). See also Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms Fund Size Quarterly Contribution Base for the First Quarter 2003, available at (filed December 2, 2002) (USAC Filing for First Quarter 2003 Contribution Base). 1 2 ($ millions) Program Projected Program Support Admin. Expenses Application Of Interest Income Application of Periodic True- Ups Total Program Collection Schools and Libraries 552.695 9.805 (9. 666) (26.485) 526.349 Rural Health Care 3.020 0.694 (0. 051) (0. 424) 3.239 High- Cost 825.994 2.125 (0. 605) (42.700) 784.814 Low Income 188.178 0.489 (0. 321) (2. 206) 186.140 TOTAL 1569. 887 13. 113 (10. 643) (71. 815) 1500. 542 The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has therefore projected that program demand and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2003 will be approximately $1.500542 billion. USAC also has submitted estimated end- user interstate and international telecommunications revenues of $18.705408 billion for July through September 2002 based on information contained on Third Quarter 2002 Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets. 6 Taking into account USAC’s estimate of $1.302320 billion in actual contributions in the third quarter of 2002 as well as uncollectible contributions of one percent, we project a contribution base of $17.229057 billion. 7 The first quarter 2003 contribution factor for universal service support mechanisms would therefore be 0.087094 (total program collection requirement / quarterly contribution base), absent any adjustment to stabilize the contribution factor. Adjustment to Stabilize Contribution Factor Consistent with section 54.507 of the Commission’s rules and the Schools First Report and Order in CC Docket No. 02- 6, we direct USAC to apply sufficient unused funds from the schools and libraries support mechanism to maintain the first quarter 2003 contribution factor at 0.072805. In the Schools First Report and Order, the Commission concluded that unused funds from the schools and libraries support mechanism would be applied to stabilize the collection requirement for universal service for the third and fourth quarters of 2002, and the first quarter 2003, if necessary, while it examines whether more fundamental reform of the basis for assessing universal service contributions is warranted. 8 Thereafter, unused funds from the schools and 6 See USAC Filing for First Quarter 2003 Contribution Base at 3. The revenue base on which contributions are assessed in the first quarter of 2003 is derived from the revenues reported on Third Quarter 2002 Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets (FCC Form 499- Q). See id. 7 See id. at 4 8 Id. 2 3 libraries support mechanism will be carried forward to increase disbursements to schools and libraries in subsequent quarters. 9 If the Commission takes no action regarding the projections of demand and administrative expenses and the proposed contribution factor within the 14- day period following release of this Public Notice, they shall be deemed approved by the Commission. 10 USAC shall use the contribution factor to calculate universal service contributions for the first quarter of 2003. USAC includes these amounts in invoices sent to contributors. Contribution payments are due on the dates shown on the invoice. Contributors will pay interest for each day for which the payments are late. Contributors failing to pay contributions in a timely fashion may be subject to the enforcement provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable law. In addition, contributors may be billed by USAC for reasonable costs of collecting overdue contributions. 11 For further information, contact Jon Secrest, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, at (202) 418- 7400, TTY (202) 418- 0484. 9 Id. 10 See 47 C. F. R. § 54. 709( a)( 3). 11 See 47 C. F. R. §54. 713. 3