Service Provider and Bill Entity Identification Number and Contact Information Form

FCC Form 498

OMB3060-0824

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Instructions for Completing the Service Provider and Billed Entity
Identification Number and Contact Information Form
The FCC Form 498 is used to collect contact, remittance, and payment information for
service providers and billed entities that receive support from the federal universal service
programs. For greater flexibility, this form allows service providers to use the same
information for all of the programs, different contact and remittance information for each of
the four programs, or multiple contacts and remittance information. Please report any
changes to this information on a revised FCC Form 498 to prevent any delays in
notification and the timeliness of disbursements.
I. Introduction
On May 8, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) released a
Report and Order on Universal Service in CC Docket No. 96-45 that established a new
federal universal service fund, consistent with the universal service provisions contained in
section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
The Commission appointed the Universal Service Administrative Company
(USAC) administrator of the federal universal service fund and USAC disburses funds for
the High Cost, Lifeline, Rural Health Care, and Schools and Libraries Programs. One of
the functions of USAC is to provide a means for the billing, collection, and disbursement of
funds for all four programs.
Pursuant to 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.202, 54.301, 54.303, 54.307, 54.309, 54.311, 54.407,
54.422, 54.515, 54.679, 54.702, 54.802, and 54.902, USAC must obtain information
relating to the service provider name or billed entity, address, telephone number, Federal
Employee Identification Number (Federal EIN or tax ID number), contact names and
telephone numbers, billing, and collection information.
To that end, the Commission and USAC have developed a Service Provider and Billed
Entity Identification Number and Contact Information Form, FCC Form 498, to collect this
information from service providers and billed entities that receive support from the High
Cost, Lifeline, Rural Health Care, and Schools and Libraries Programs.
This document provides instructions for completing the FCC Form 498. Each service
provider that receives federal universal service support under any of the four programs
must complete this form. First time FCC Form 498 filers will be assigned a Form 498
Identification Number (FCC Form 498 ID). This form will be used to collect the following
information: service provider or billed entity name, address, phone numbers, e-mail
addresses, contact names, and billing and collection information. USAC will use this
information to administer the billing, collection, and disbursement operations of the federal
universal service programs.

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II. FILING REQUIREMENTS AND GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
A.

Who Should File the FCC Form 498

All service providers that participate in the High Cost, Lifeline, Rural Health Care, or
Schools and Libraries Universal Service Programs must file FCC Form 498 to receive
disbursement payments.
In addition all Schools and Libraries Applicants (billed entities) receiving payments via the
Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement process must file FCC Form 498 to receive
disbursement payments.
Service providers and billed entities should complete an FCC Form 498 in order to:
•
•
•
•

Apply for a new FCC Form 498 ID.
Revise an existing FCC Form 498.
Consolidate, merge, or deactivate existing FCC Form 498 IDs due to a merger,
acquisition, or consolidation of companies/entities.
Deactivate an FCC Form 498 ID and end participation in the federal universal
service programs. High Cost and Lifeline program recipients must comply with 47
C.F.R. § 54.205 if relinquishing High Cost or Lifeline federal universal service
support.

USAC will rely on the data provided in this form to disburse federal universal service
support consistent with the specifications of the service provider or billed entity. This form
allows service providers and billed entities to specify which address(es) and payment
information to use for each of the programs in which they participate. For example,
service providers participating in all four programs may use a single financial institution
and remittance contact for all support payments. Other service providers may wish to have
federal universal service program payments sent to different financial institutions. Such
service providers should follow directions provided below to specify a separate remittance
contact and financial institution information for each of the programs in which they
participate.
Further, the information in this form will enable certain service providers to offset
payments from the High Cost, Lifeline, Schools and Libraries and/or Rural Health Care
Programs against any federal universal service contribution obligations. Contributors are
companies that are obligated to make payments to the federal universal service fund.
Each contributor and each contributor’s business unit should complete the FCC Form 498.
For each contributor or business unit, USAC will assign a number upon receipt of a
complete and correct FCC Form 498. Copies of the FCC Form 498 may be reproduced
and completed for as many business units as are providing service.
B.
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When and Where to File
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Service providers and billed entities must submit the FCC Form 498 online via the online
filing tool.
To access the online filing tool Visit the USAC E-File site at
http://www.usac.org/about/tools/e-file.aspx.

C.

Where to Get More Information

Please direct any questions about completing this form to USAC via:
Internet at: http://www.usac.org/sp/about/getting-started/default.aspx
E-mail at: [email protected]
Telephone at: 888-641-8722 or Fax 888-637-6226

III. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
The following section describes the service provider or billed entity information that should
be provided on the FCC Form 498.
A.
Form Overview
Indicate, by checking the appropriate box, the action being requested with the submission
of this form. For an original application, all fields must be completed. To initiate revisions,
all lines in Blocks 1-3 and 20-21 must be completed. FCC Form 498 is USAC’s official
record of contact and remittance information. Service providers and billed entities,
therefore, must keep the information in this form current. Failure to maintain current
information may affect the timeliness of payment.
Payee Type
When beginning the form, select the box that most appropriately describes you:
Service Provider: An entity or company that provides service to customers, health care
providers, or schools and libraries in the four federal universal service programs. By
selecting this box you will need to complete all pages of the FCC Form 498 that apply to
your company and the programs your company participates in.
School/Library or other billed entity: An entity paying for eligible services and/or goods
from a Service Provider in the Schools and Libraries Program that has chosen to receive
discount reimbursement under the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement process
(BEAR). By selecting this box, you will need to complete pages 1, 2, 7, 8, and 10 of the
FCC Form 498.

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THE FOLLOWING 4 OPTIONS MUST BE CERTIFIED BY A COMPANY OR
ORGANIZATION OFFICER:
1. Original Application for FCC Form 498 ID: Please check this box if this is the
company’s or billed entity’s initial FCC Form 498.
2. Revision to Existing FCC Form 498 on file with USAC: Please check this box if this
is a revision to an existing FCC Form 498 on file with USAC. If it is a revision, please
include the company’s or billed entity’s previously assigned FCC Form 498 ID.
3. Request for FCC Form 498 ID Merger/Consolidation: Please check this box to
consolidate the activity of multiple FCC Form 498 IDs into one FCC Form 498 ID, or
merge a FCC Form 498 ID into your FCC Form 498 ID due to an acquisition or merger.
Additional documentation is required. Please see Appendix A on page 19 of the
instructions for additional information.
4. Request for FCC Form 498 ID Deactivation: Please check this box to discontinue
participation in all federal universal service programs and deactivate the FCC Form 498 ID
in its entirety. High Cost and Lifeline recipients must comply with 47 C.F.R. § 54.205 if
relinquishing High Cost or Lifeline federal universal service support. Additional
documentation is required. Please see Appendix A on page 19 of the instructions for
additional information.
Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number (FCC Form 498 ID): Leave
this field blank if this is the initial submission of an FCC Form 498. USAC will process the
form within seven to 10 business days of receipt and will assign a FCC Form 498 ID to the
company. Within 48 hours after processing has been completed, USAC will notify the
company or billed entity of the assigned FCC Form 498 ID.
For all subsequent submissions of FCC Form 498 (e.g., revisions to original data), please
include your assigned FCC Form 498 ID. Revisions to previously filed information cannot
be processed without the FCC Form 498 ID.
FCC Form 499 Filer ID: Companies who are required to file the FCC Form 499 must
provide the FCC Form 499 Filer ID (Telecom Relay Service (TRS) Company Code) as it
appears on the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet FCC Form 499. This must be
indicated for all companies that are required to file the FCC Form 499.
B.

Block 1: General Company or Billed Entity Information

Block 1 requires you to identify the legal name and address of the service provider or
billed entity.
Item (1) Company or Billed Entity Name: Provide the full legal name of the company
providing service or the billed entity as it appears on articles of incorporation, registration,
or other legal documents.
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Item (2) Name Company Is Doing Business As (DBA) or Formerly Known
As (FKA): Provide the name currently used by the service provider or billed entity; or if
this form effects a name change, provide the name formerly used.
Item (3) Name of Holding Company: This is typically the name of the company’s or
organization’s holding company or controlling entity, if any applies.
Item (4) TAX ID or Federal EIN of Holding Company: Enter the federal TAX ID or EIN of
the company’s or organization’s Holding Company.
Item (5) Affiliated Entities: Check this box if this FCC Form 498 ID has or maintains
affiliated entities as defined in Section III.E
Items (6, 7, 8, 9, & 10) Service Provider’s Address: Provide the service provider’s or
billed entity’s full mailing address, street address or route number, city, state, and zip
code. Do not include a post office box. USAC will reject any FCC Form 498 that uses a
post office box.
C. Block 2: General Contact Information
Block 2 requires the contact information for the individual preparing this form. The General
Contact is the point of contact for questions regarding billing, collection, and disbursement
related matters. The General Contact is also designated as the organization’s main point
of contact for the e-file system, and in addition to the officer on file, may access the
additional forms for the universal service support programs, and acts as the service
provider’s or billed entity’s main point of contact for the organization’s authorized e-file
users. The General Contact can change remittance information for any of the four
programs.
Items (11, 12, , & 13) General Contact Information: Provide the name, title, phone
number, and fax number for the person that should be contacted with questions regarding
the billing, collection, and disbursement of funds for the organization. Only the General
Contact or an Officer of the company is permitted to make revisions to the FCC Form 498,
but the Officer listed in Block 18 must certify any revisions.
Items (14, 15, 16 17, 18, & 19) Address and E-Mail Address of General Contact:
Provide the General Contact’s full mailing address, street address or route number, city,
state, zip code, and e-mail address. Please do not use a post office box. USAC will reject
any FCC Form 498 that uses a post office box. A confirmation notice will be sent to the email address listed in Block 2. The e-mail address must be specific to the General
Contact. Generic e-mail addresses are not accepted in this block. USAC will reject all
forms with a generic e-mail address.
D. Block 3: Federal EIN, DUNS and FCC Registration Number

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Block 3 requires the service provider’s or billed entity’s Federal Employer Identification
Number (Federal EIN or tax ID number), business structure, Dunn and Bradstreet
Identification Number (DUNS), and FCC Registration Number (CORES ID).
Item (20) Federal EIN: Enter the service provider’s Federal EIN. Please do not use
individual social security numbers for the Federal EIN. For companies required to indicate
their 499 Filer ID, the Federal EIN listed on the FCC Form 498 must match the Federal
EIN listed on the FCC Form 499.
Item (21) Business Structure: Check one of the three boxes indicating whether the
organization is a corporation, partnership or other.
Item (22) DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet): Enter the organization’s nine digit DUNS number.
Item (23) FCC Registration Number: Enter the organization’s nine digit FCC Registration
number (CORES ID).
Supplemental Page for Companies with Affiliate Relationships
E. Block 4: Affiliate Company Information
Please complete this section if you checked the box on item (3) on page 1, indicating that
your company maintains affiliate relationships as defined in section 3(1) of the
Communications Act.
“The term ‘affiliate’ means a person that (directly or indirectly) owns or controls, is owned
or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, another person. For
purposes of this paragraph, the term "own" means to own an equity interest (or the
equivalent thereof) of more than 10 percent.”
Please list the FCC Form 498 ID number as well as the name of affiliated companies as
defined above.
If your organization has more than twenty two (22) affiliates, please submit additional
sheet(s) to USAC.

High Cost Program
F. Block 5: High Cost Financial Institution and Remittance Information
Please complete this section only if your company receives support from the High Cost
Program, including the Connect America Fund and Mobility Fund component of the
Connect America Fund. Block 5 requires financial institution and remittance information
that will be used to direct any High Cost payments and remittance information. Financial
institution information is required. Electronic payment of universal service support
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payments is mandated by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Pub. Law 104134, 110 Stat. 1321-358. If the remittance contact is the same as the General Contact in
Block 2, please check the box to indicate this in Block 5 and continue with lines 33 to 35.
Check the box at the top of the page to maintain the FCC Form 498 ID (Service
Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number) but cease participation in the High
Cost Program. High Cost recipients must comply with 47 C.F.R. § 54.205 if
relinquishing federal High Cost universal service support.
Item (24) High Cost Remittance Company Name: Provide the name of the company
that will receive payment for High Cost payments if different than the company indicated in
item 1.
Items (25 & 26) High Cost Remittance Contact Name and Title: Provide the name and
title of the High Cost remittance contact person who will answer questions regarding the
remittance of High Cost Support payments to the service provider. All High Cost
remittance statements will be sent to the High Cost remittance contact’s attention.
Item (27 & 28) Telephone and email address of remittance contact: Provide the
telephone, extension and email address of the High Cost Remittance contact
Item (29) Name of High Cost Remittance Financial Institution: High Cost Program
payments are made via Automatic Clearing House (ACH), and financial institution
information is required to process such payments. If you do not provide this information,
you will not receive payment.
Items (30 & 31) High Cost Remittance Financial Institution Account Number and
Transit Number for ACH Payments: Provide the ACH financial institution account
number and financial institution transit number. Please be sure that the transit number is
nine digits. If you do not provide this information, you will not receive payment.
In order to protect recipients of Universal Service Funds, USAC may request
additional documentation to validate the banking information submitted by filers of
the FCC Form 498. Do not provide additional documentation with your submission.
You will be contacted by USAC with instructions on how to securely provide this
data to validate banking information. Please see Appendix B on page 23 of the
instructions for additional information.

G. Block 6: Company Contact for High Cost Program
Please complete Block 6 only if a service provider receives support from the High Cost
Program. Block 6 requires the service provider’s High Cost contact information. If the
High Cost Program contact information is the same as that presented in Block 2, please
check the box to indicate this in Block 6 and continue onto the next block. Otherwise,
please complete the contact information in Block 5. The General Contact or an Officer of
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the company is permitted to make revisions to the FCC Form 498, but the Officer listed in
Block 18 must certify any revisions.
Items (32, 33 34, 35, 35, 37 & 38) Name and Address of High Cost Program Contact:
Provide the High Cost Program company contact person’s name, title, mailing address,
street address or route number, city, state, and zip code. USAC will send all non-financial
High Cost Program correspondence to this address. The High Cost Program contact
should be an employee of the service provider. This High Cost Program contact is
authorized to request additional High Cost Program information related to this FCC Form
498 ID.
Items (39 & 40) Phone Number and E-Mail Address of High Cost Program Contact:
Provide the phone number, and e-mail address of the High Cost Program contact person
who will receive correspondence and answer questions regarding the High Cost Program

Lifeline Program
H. Block 7: Lifeline Financial Institution and Remittance Information
Please complete this section only if your company receives support from the Lifeline
Program. Block 7 requires financial institution and remittance information that will be used
to direct any Lifeline Program payments and remittance information. Financial institution
information is required. Electronic payment of universal service support payments is
mandated by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Pub. Law 104-134, 110 Stat.
1321-358. If the remittance contact is the same as the General Contact in Block 2, please
check the box to indicate this in Block 7. Continue in Block 7 with lines 57 to 59.
Check the box at the top of the page to maintain the FCC Form 498 ID (Service
Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number) but cease participation in the
Lifeline Program. Lifeline recipients must comply with 47 C.F.R. § 54.205 if
relinquishing federal Lifeline universal service support.
Item (41) Lifeline Remittance Company Name: Provide the name of the company that
will receive payment for Lifeline Program payments if different than the company indicated
in item 1.
Items (42 & 43) Lifeline Remittance Contact Name and Title: Provide the name and
title of the Lifeline Program remittance contact person that will answer questions regarding
the remittance of Lifeline Program payment to the service provider. All Lifeline Program
remittance statements will be sent to the remittance contact person’s attention.
Lifeline
Item (44& 45) Telephone and email address of remittance contact of Lifeline
Remittance Contact: Provide the telephone number, extension, email address of the Life
Line Remittance contact
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Item (46) Name of Lifeline Remittance Financial Institution: Lifeline Program
payments are made via electronic Automatic Clearing House (ACH), and financial
institution information is required to process such payments. If you do not provide this
information, you will not receive payment.
Items (47& 48) Lifeline Remittance Financial Institution Account Number and Transit
Number for ACH Payments: Provide the ACH financial institution account number and
financial institution transit number. Please be sure that the transit number is nine digits. If
you do not provide this information, you will not receive payment.
In order to protect recipients of Universal Service Funds, USAC may request
additional documentation to validate the banking information submitted by filers of
the FCC Form 498. Do not provide additional documentation with your submission.
You will be contacted by USAC with instructions on how to securely provide this
data to validate banking information. Please see Appendix B on page 23 of the
instructions for additional information.
I. Block 8: Company Contact for Lifeline Program
Please complete this block only if your company participates in the Lifeline Program.
Block 8 requires completion of the Lifeline Program contact information. If the Lifeline
Program contact information is the same as that presented in Block 2, please check the
box in Block 8 and continue onto the next block. Otherwise, please complete the Lifeline
Program contact information in Block 8. The General Contact or an Officer of the
company is permitted to make revisions to the FCC Form 498, but the Officer listed in
Block 18 must certify any revisions.
Items (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 & 55) Name, Title, and Address of Service Provider’s
Lifeline Program Contact: Provide the Lifeline Program contact person’s name, title,
mailing address, street address or route number, city, state, and zip code.
USAC will send all Lifeline Program correspondence to this address. The Lifeline Program
contact should be an employee of the service provider. This Lifeline Program contact is
authorized to request additional Lifeline Program information related to this FCC Form 498
ID.
Items (56, & 57) Phone Number and E-mail Address of Lifeline Program Contact:
Provide the phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the Lifeline Program
contact person who will receive Lifeline Program correspondence and answer questions
regarding the Lifeline Program.

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J. Block 9: High Cost and Lifeline Study Area Code (SAC)/FCC Form 498
ID Association
Companies that do not receive support from the High Cost and Lifeline
Programs and do not have SAC assignments may proceed to Block 10.
For providers that receive support from the High Cost and Lifeline Programs, please list
the Study Area Codes (SACs) you wish to have associated with the Service Provider
Identification Number (FCC Form 498 ID) data.
Box One (1): Check this box if you are not changing the existing SAC data currently on
file with USAC. If you check this box, you may proceed to Block 10.
Box Two (2): Check this box if you wish to update the SAC data currently on file with
USAC. Be sure to include all of the SACs you wish to associate with the FCC Form 498
ID.
SAC: Please indicate the six (6) digit SAC.
SAC Company Name: Please enter the name of the Company associated to the SAC.
Incumbent: Check this box if the FCC Form 498 ID associated with this SAC is listed with
USAC as an Incumbent Carrier for that area.
Competitive: Check this box if the FCC Form498 ID associated with this SAC is listed
with USAC as a Competitive Carrier for that area.
If your organization has more than twenty two (22) SAC codes, please submit an
additional sheet with those codes to USAC.
Rural Health Care Program
K. Block 10: Rural Health Care Financial Institution and Remittance
Information
Please complete this section only if your company receives support from the Rural Health
Care Program. Block 10 requires financial institution and remittance information that will
be used to direct any Rural Health Care Program payments and remittance information.
Financial institution information is required. Electronic payment of universal service
support payments is mandated by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Pub. Law
104-134, 110 Stat. 1321-358. If the remittance contact is the same as the General
Contact in Block 2, please check the box to indicate this in Block 10 and continue with
lines 81 to 83.

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Check the box at the top of the page to maintain your FCC Form 498 ID (Service
Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number) but cease participation in the
federal universal service Rural Health Care Program.
Items (58) Rural Health Care Remittance Company Name: Provide the name of the
company that will receive payment for Rural Health Care Program payments if different
than the company indicated in item 1.
Items (59 & 60) Rural Health Care Remittance Contact Name and Title:
Provide the name and title of the remittance contact person who will answer questions
regarding the remittance of Rural Health Care Program payments to the service provider.
All Rural Health Care Program remittance statements will be sent to the remittance
contact person’s attention.
Item (61 & 62) Telephone and email address of remittance contact of Rural Health
Care Remittance Contact: Provide the telephone number, extension, and e-mail
address of the Rural Health Care Remittance contact.
Item (63) Name of Rural Health Care Remittance Financial Institution: Rural Health
Care Program payments are made via electronic Automatic Clearing House (ACH) and
financial institution information is required to process such payments. If you do not
provide this information, you will not receive payment.
Items (64 & 65) Rural Health Care Remittance Financial Institution Account Number
and Transit Number for ACH Payments: Provide the ACH financial institution account
number and transit number. Please be sure that the transit number is nine digits. If you do
not provide this information, you will not receive payment.
In order to protect recipients of Universal Service Funds, USAC may request
additional documentation to validate the banking information submitted by filers of
the FCC Form 498. Do not provide additional documentation with your submission.
You will be contacted by USAC with instructions on how to securely provide this
data to validate banking information. Please see Appendix B on page 23 of the
instructions for additional information.
L. Block 11: Company Contact for Rural Health Care Program
Please complete this section only if your company receives support from the Rural Health
Care Program. Block 11 requires completion of the Rural Health Care Program contact
information. If the Rural Health Care Program contact information is the same as that
presented in Block 2, please check the box to indicate this in Block 11 and continue onto
the next block. Otherwise, please complete the Rural Health Care Program contact
information in Block 11. The General Contact or an Officer of the company is permitted to
make revisions to the FCC Form 498, but the Officer listed in Block 18 must certify any
revisions.

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Items (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 & 72) Name, Title, and Address of Rural Health Care
Program Contact: Provide the Rural Health Care Program contact person’s name, title,
mailing address, street address or route number, city, state, and zip code. The Rural
Health Care Program contact should be an employee of the service provider. This contact
is authorized to request additional Rural Health Care Program information related to this
FCC Form498 ID.
Items (73, & 74) Phone and E-mail Address of Service Provider’s
Rural Health Care Program Contact: Provide the phone number, fax number, and e-mail
address of the Rural Health Care Program contact person who will receive
correspondence and answer questions regarding the Rural Health Care Program.
Schools and Libraries Program Payments
M. Block 12: Schools and Libraries Financial Institution and Remittance
Information
Please complete this section only if your company or billed entity receives support from
the Schools and Libraries Program. Block 12 requires financial institution and remittance
information that will be used to direct any Schools and Libraries Program payments and
remittance information. Financial institution information is required. Electronic payment of
universal service support payments is mandated by the Debt Collection Improvement Act
of 1996, Pub. Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321-358. If the remittance contact is the same as
the General Contact in Block 2, please check the box to indicate this in Block 12 and
continue with lines 105 to 107.
Check the box at the top of the page to maintain your FCC Form498 ID (Service
Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number) but cease participation in the
federal universal service Schools and Libraries Program. (This box applies to
service providers only)
Item (75) Schools and Libraries Remittance Company Name: Provide the name of the
company or billed entity that will receive payment for Schools and Libraries Program
payments if different than the company indicated in Block 1.
Items (76 & 77) Schools and Libraries Remittance Contact Name and Title:
Provide the name and title of the Schools and Libraries Program remittance contact
person who will answer questions regarding the remittance of Schools and Libraries
Program payments to the service provider. All Schools and Libraries Program remittance
statements will be sent to the remittance contact person’s attention.
Item (78 & 79) Telephone and email address of remittance contact for Schools and
Libraries Remittance Contact: Provide the telephone number, extension, and e-mail
address of the Schools and Libraries Remittance contact.

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Item (80) Name of Schools and Libraries Remittance Financial Institution: Schools
and Libraries Program payments are made via electronic Automatic Clearing House
(ACH), and financial institution information is required to process such payments. If you
do not provide this information, you will not receive payment.
Items (81&82) Schools and Libraries Remittance Financial Institution Account
Number and Transit Number for ACH Payments: Provide the ACH financial institution
account number and transit number. This cannot be a consultant’s account. Please be
sure that the transit number is nine digits. If you do not provide this information, you will
not receive payment.
In order to protect recipients of Universal Service Funds, USAC may request
additional documentation to validate the banking information submitted by filers of
the FCC Form 498. Do not provide additional documentation with your submission.
You will be contacted by USAC with instructions on how to securely provide this
data to validate banking information. Please see Appendix B on page 23 of the
instructions for additional information.
N. Block 13: Organization Contact for Schools and Libraries Program
Please complete this block only if your company or billed entity receives support from the
Schools and Libraries Program. Block 13 requires completion of the Schools and
Libraries Program contact information. If the Schools and Libraries Program contact
information is the same as that presented in Block 2, please check the box in Block 13
and continue onto the next block. Otherwise, please complete the contact information in
Block 13. The General Contact or an Officer of the company is permitted to make
revisions to the FCC Form 498, but the Officer listed in Block 18 must certify any
revisions.
Items (83, 84 85, 86, 87, 88 & 89) Name, Title, and Address of Service Provider
Schools and Libraries Program Contact: Provide the Schools and Libraries Program
contact person’s name, title, mailing address, street address or route number, city, state,
and zip code. USAC will send all Schools and Libraries Program correspondence to this
address. This contact should be an employee of the organization. This contact is
authorized to request additional Schools and Libraries Program information related to this
FCC Form 498 ID.
Items (90, &91) Phone and E-Mail Address of Service Provider
Schools and Libraries Program Contact: Provide the phone number, and e-mail
address of the Schools and Libraries Program contact person who will receive
correspondence and answer questions regarding the Schools and Libraries Program.

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O. Block 14: Billed Entity/FCC Form 498 Association (For BEAR
Recipients only)
If you are a billed entity that has chosen to receive your schools and libraries (E-rate)
payments from the universal service fund in the form of BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant
Reimbursement) payments, please enter the Billed Entity Numbers that are to be
associated with the FCC Form 498 ID on this form.
P. Block 15: Offsetting Disbursement Payments against Federal Universal
Service Contribution Obligations For High Cost Program Participants
This block only relates to telecommunications carriers participating in the High Cost
Program. A telecommunications carrier may choose to offset the amount eligible for
support under the High Cost Program against its federal universal service contribution
obligation. A telecommunications carrier must have an FCC Form 499 Filer ID number to
offset its High Cost Program disbursement payments against its federal universal service
contribution obligation. To obtain an FCC Form 499 Filer ID number, visit
www.usac.org/sp/tools/forms.aspx and select FCC Form 499. You do not need an FCC
Form 499 Filer ID number to be issued a FCC Form498 ID.
Item (92) Offset Indicator: The service provider must indicate (by checking
the box or leaving it blank) whether or not it is requesting to have its High Cost invoice
payments offset against the service provider’s federal universal service contribution
obligations.
Q. Block 16: Offsetting Disbursement Payments against Federal Universal
Service Contribution Obligations For Lifeline Program Participants
This block only relates to telecommunications carriers participating in the Lifeline Program.
A telecommunications carrier may choose to offset the amount eligible for support under
the Lifeline Program against its federal universal service contribution obligation. A
telecommunications carrier must have an FCC Form 499 Filer ID number to offset its
Lifeline Program disbursement payments against its federal universal service contribution
obligation. To obtain an FCC Form 499 Filer ID number, visit
www.usac.org/sp/tools/forms.aspx and select FCC Form 499. You do not need an FCC
Form 499 Filer ID number to be issued a FCC Form498 ID.
Item (93) Offset Indicator: The service provider must indicate (by checking
the box or leaving it blank) whether or not it is requesting to have its High Cost invoice
payments offset against the service provider’s federal universal service contribution
obligations.
R. Block 17: Offsetting Disbursement Payments against Federal Universal
Service Contribution Obligations For Rural HealthCare Program
Participants

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This block only relates to telecommunications carriers participating in the Rural Health
Care Program. In accordance with section 54.679 of the Commission’s rules regarding
Rural Health Care Program support, a telecommunications carrier may choose to offset
the amount eligible for support under the Rural Health Care Program against its federal
universal service contribution obligation. A telecommunications carrier must have an FCC
Form 499 Filer ID number to offset its Rural Health Care Program disbursement payments
against its federal universal service contribution obligation. To obtain an FCC Form 499
Filer ID number, visit www.usac.org/sp/tools/forms.aspx and select FCC Form 499.
Item (94) Offset Indicator: The service provider must indicate (by checking
the box or leaving it blank) whether or not it is requesting to have its Rural Health Care
invoice payments offset against the service provider’s federal universal service
contribution obligations.
S. Block 18: Certification to Assist Health Care Providers
This block only relates to service providers participating in the Healthcare Connect Fund
Program. In accordance with section 54.640(b) of the Commission’s rules, service
providers participating in the Healthcare Connect Fund Program must certify, as a
condition of receiving support, that they will provide to health care providers, on a timely
basis, all information and documents regarding supported equipment, facilities, or services
that are necessary for the health care provider to submit required forms or respond to
Commission or USAC inquiries. USAC may withhold disbursements for the service
provider if the service provider, after written notice from USAC, fails to comply with this
requirement.
Item (95) Healthcare Connect Fund Program Certification: The service provider must
certify (by checking the box) that it will provide to health care providers, on a timely basis,
all information and documents regarding supported equipment, facilities, or services that
are necessary for the health care provider to submit required forms or respond to FCC or
USAC inquiries.
T. Block 19: Offsetting Disbursement Payments against Federal Universal
Service Contribution Obligations for Schools and Libraries Participants
This block only relates to telecommunications carriers participating in the Schools and
Libraries Program. In accordance with section 54.515 of the Commission’s rules regarding
Schools and Libraries Program support, a telecommunications carrier may choose to
offset the amount eligible for support under the Schools and Libraries Program against its
federal universal service contribution obligation. A telecommunications carrier must have
an FCC Form 499 Filer ID number to offset its Schools and Libraries Program
disbursement payments against its federal universal service contribution obligation. To
obtain an FCC Form 499 Filer ID number, visit www.usac.org/sp/tools/forms.aspx and
select FCC Form 499. You do not need an FCC Form 499 Filer ID number to be issued a
FCC Form498 ID.

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Item (96) Offset Indicator: The service provider must indicate (by checking
the box or leaving it blank) whether or not it is requesting to have its Schools and Libraries
Program invoice payments offset against the service provider’s federal universal service
contribution obligations.
U. Block 20: Principal Communications Business Types
Block 20 requires the selection of a Principal Communications Business Code.
Principal Communications Business: Mark the boxes that describe the
telecommunications activity or activities of the organization. If more than one is
appropriate, please label the activities in order of importance to the company’s business,
e.g., enter a “1” in the box for the type of entity that represents the most important part of
the organization’s business, enter a “2” in the box that represents the next most important
part, etc. Select no more than 5 of the following categories. Certain categories that reflect
revenue subject to FCC Form 499 reporting will require the company to have an FCC
Form 499 Filer ID.
Code

Description

Audio Bridging
Provider

Allows end users to transmit a call (using telephone lines), to a
point specified by the user (the conference bridge), without
change in the form or content of the information as sent and
received (voice transmission). A 499 Filer ID is required when
selecting this Principal Communications Business Code.

Coaxial Cable

Uses coaxial cable (cable TV) facilities to provide local exchange
services or telecommunications services that link customers with
interexchange facilities, local exchange networks, or other
customers.

Non-Interconnected
VoIP

Provides non-interconnected VoIP service, which is a service
that (i) enables real-time voice communications that originate
from or terminate to the user’s location using Internet protocol or
any successor protocol and (ii) requires Internet protocol
compatible customer premises equipment, but (iii) is not an
interconnected VoIP service. A 499 Filer ID is required when
selecting this Principal Communications Business Code.

Private Service
Provider

Offers telecommunications to others for a fee on a non-common
carrier basis. This would include a company that offers excess
capacity on a private system that it uses primarily for internal
purposes. This category does not include SMR or Satellite
Service Providers.

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Toll Reseller

Provides long distance telecommunications services primarily by
reselling the long distance telecommunications services of other
carriers. A 499 Filer ID is required when selecting this Principal
Communications Business Code.

Incumbent LEC

(Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier) Provides local exchange
service. An incumbent LEC generally is a carrier that was at one
time franchised as a monopoly service provider or has since
been found to be an incumbent LEC. See 47 U.S.C. § 251(h). A
499 Filer ID is required when selecting this Principle
Communications Business Code.

Operator Service
Provider

Serves customers needing the assistance of an operator to
complete calls, or needing alternate billing arrangements, such
as collect calling.

Satellite Service
Provider

Provides satellite space segment or earth stations that are used
for telecommunications service.

Wireless Data

Provides mobile or fixed wireless data services using wireless
technology. This category includes the provision of wireless data
services by resale. A 499 Filer ID is required when selecting this
Principal Communications Business Code.

CAP/CLEC

(Competitive Access Provider/Competitive Local Exchange
Carrier) Competes with incumbent local exchange carriers
(LECs) to provide local exchange services, or
telecommunications services that link customers with
interexchange facilities, local exchange networks, or other
customers, other than Coaxial Cable providers. A 499 Filer ID is
required when selecting this Principal Communications Business
Code.

Interconnected VoIP

Provides “interconnected VoIP service,” which is a service that
(1) enables real-time, two-way voice communications; (2)
requires a broadband connection from the user’s location; (3)
requires Internet protocol compatible customer premises
equipment (CPE); and (4) permits users generally to receive
calls that originate on the public switched telephone network and
to terminate calls to the public switched telephone network. A
499 Filer ID is required when selecting this Principal
Communications Business Code.

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Paging and
Messaging

Provides wireless paging or wireless messaging services. This
category includes the provision of paging and messaging
services by resale. A 499 Filer ID is required when selecting this
Principle Communications Business Code.

SMR (Dispatch)

Primarily provides dispatch services and mobile services other
than wireless telephony. While dispatch services may include
interconnection with the public switched network, this category
does not include carriers that primarily offer wireless telephony.
This category includes LTR dispatch or community repeater
systems.

Shared-Tenant
Service Provider /
Building LEC

Manages or owns a multi-tenant location that provides
telecommunications services or facilities to the tenants for a fee.

Cellular/PCS/SMR

(Cellular, Personal Communications Service, or Specialized
Mobile Radio Service Provider) Primarily provides wireless
telecommunications services (wireless telephony). This category
includes all providers of real-time two-way switched voice
services that interconnect with the public switched network,
including providers of prepaid phones and public coast stations
interconnected with the public switched network. A 499 Filer ID is
required when selecting this Principal Communications Business
Code.

Interexchange
Carrier

Provides long distance telecommunications services
substantially through switches or circuits that it owns or leases.
A 499 Filer ID is required when selecting this Principal
Communications Business Code.

Payphone Service
Provider

Provides access to telephone networks through pay telephone
equipment, special teleconference rooms, etc. Payphone
service providers are also referred to as pay telephone
aggregators. A 499 Filer ID is required when selecting this
Principle Communications Business Code.

Local Reseller

Provides local exchange or fixed telecommunications services by
reselling services of other carriers. A 499 Filer ID is required
when selecting this Principal Communications Business Code.

Internet Service
Provider

Provides access to the Internet.

Non-Traditional

Company that does not provide telecommunications services.

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Provider (NTP)
School/Library or
Other Billed Entity

Billed Entity that receives reimbursements from the
Schools and Libraries Program by filing a BEAR
Form (FCC Form 472)

C. Block 21: Officer Certification
Block 21 requires the signature of the Company/Organization Officer authorized to certify
that the data set forth in the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. Incomplete
information or incorrect filling of this form will result in it being rejected to the company and
the form will not be processed.
For Service Providers:
An officer is a person who occupies a position specified in the corporate by-laws (or
partnership agreement), and would typically be president, vice president for operations,
vice president for finance, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the filer is a
sole proprietorship, the owner must sign the certification.
For Billed Entities:
An officer is a person who occupies a position authorized by the school, district or country,
and consortium applicants, and would typically be a Superintendent, Assistant
Superintendent, Principal or Assistant Principal, County or District Administrator, or state
education department leads.
Persons willfully making false statements on this form can be punished by fine or
forfeiture, under the Communications Act, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 220(e),
502, 503(b), or fine or imprisonment under Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C.
Sec. 1001. In addition, Block 16 requires the date, printed name, title, and e-mail address
of the Company/Organization Officer certifying the form. The e-mail address will be used
for return confirmation and related correspondence only. Generic e-mail addresses are
not accepted in this block. USAC will reject all forms with a generic e-mail address.
Companies may provide a General Contact in Block 2 separate from the
Company/Organization Officer. This individual will be able to retrieve the FCC Form 498
information on file with USAC as well as be given access to USAC’s on-line filing system.
This person will also be able to input new FCC Form498 ID data for Officer Certification.
Incomplete information or incorrect filing of the form will result in it being rejected
to the company and the form will not be processed.
Notice on e-filing and e-certification:
Filers are required to enter data, and to verify, submit, and certify the FCC Form 498 data
online via a web-based data entry system. An electronic signature by the officer will be
considered the equivalent to a handwritten signature certifying the accuracy of the data.
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The officer, therefore, acknowledges that such electronic signature certifies his or her
identity and attests under penalty of perjury as to the truth and accuracy of the information
contained in each electronically signed submission.
Visit http://www.usac.org/cont/tools/forms for more information and access to the online
filing system. If you need additional assistance you can contact USAC Customer Support
at (888) 641-8722, or [email protected] for assistance in filing your FCC Form
498.
Notice: The Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) has designated the
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) as administrator of federal universal
service. One of the functions of USAC is to provide a means for billing, collection, and
disbursement of funds for the various federal universal service programs. In an effort to
implement these requirements and obligations, the Commission has adopted this
collection of information. Pursuant to the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.202,
54.301, 54.303, 54.307, 54.309, 54.311, 54.407, 54.422, 54.515, 54.611, 54.702, 54.802,
and 54.902. USAC must obtain information relating to service provider name and address,
telephone number, Federal EIN, contact names and telephone numbers, billing, collection,
and disbursement information. Each service provider or billed entity receiving federal
universal service support from the High-Cost, Life Line, Rural Health Care, or Schools and
Libraries programs should complete the FCC Form 498. USAC will use this information in
administering the billing, collection, and disbursement operations of federal universal
service.
Reminder: You are not required to respond to a collection of information sponsored by the
federal government, and the government may not conduct or sponsor this collection,
unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control
number. This collection has been assigned an OMB control number of 3060-0824.
The Commission is authorized under the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, to collect the information we request in this form. We will use the information
that you provide for federal universal service billing, collection, and disbursement
purposes. If we believe there may be a violation or potential violation of a state or federal
statute, or of a Commission regulation, rule, or order, your form may be referred to the
federal, state, or local agency responsible for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing, or
implementing the statute, rule, regulation, or order. In certain cases, the information in
your form may be disclosed to the Department of Justice, a court, or other governmental
or adjudicative bodies when (a) the Commission; or (b) any employee of the
Commission; or (c) the United States government, is a party to a proceeding before the
body or has an interest in the proceeding. In addition, consistent with the Communications
Act of 1934, the Commission regulations and orders, the Freedom of Information Act, 5
U.S.C. § 552, or other applicable law, information provided in or submitted with this form
or in response to subsequent inquiries may be disclosed to the public.
If you owe a past due debt to the federal government, the information you provide also
may be disclosed to the Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service, other
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federal agencies, and/or your employer to offset your salary, IRS tax refund, or other
payments to collect that debt. The Commission also may provide this information to these
agencies through the matching of computer records where authorized.
If you do not provide the information we request on the form, the Commission may delay
processing you application, or may return your application without action.
This Notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, P.L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C.
Section 3501 et seq. We have estimated that each response to this collection of
information will take, on average, 1.5 hours. Our estimate includes the time to read the
instructions, look through existing records, gather and maintain the required data, and
actually complete and review the form or response. If you have any comments on this
estimate, or how we can improve the collection and reduce the burden it causes you,
please write to the Federal Communications Commission, AMD-PERM, Washington, D.C.
20554, Paperwork Reduction Project (3060-0824). We also will accept your comments via
Internet if you send them to [email protected]. Please DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS
TO THIS ADDRESS.

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Appendix A:
FCC Forms 498 ID Merger/Consolidation Requirements.
To successfully process a Merger/Consolidation request, USAC requires the following
information:
 Copies of sale, acquisition or merger documentation indicating the date of sale,
clearly demonstrating the surviving organization’s unfettered right to all FCC
Form498 ID data and activity.
 Only the first and last page (signature page) of the FCC Form 498 is required for
FCC Form498 IDS that will be impacted by a merger/consolidation request.
 A complete FCC Form 498 for the FCC Form498 ID that will be the
replacement/surviving FCC Form498 ID.
 A federal W-9 form indicating the Federal EIN (or Tax ID number).
 Updated FCC Form 499 Filer ID information (where applicable).
FCC Form 498 ID Deactivation Requirements.
To successfully process a FCC Form 498 ID Deactivation, USAC requires the following
information to be submitted to USAC. This information can be submitted via the USAC EFile System:
 A brief cover letter explaining the deactivation, and any supporting documents.
 Only the first and last page (signature page) of the FCC Form 498 is for a FCC
Form498 ID being deactivated.
 Updated FCC Form 499 Filer ID information (where applicable).
When Filing your FCC Form 498 online you will be prompted to upload the required
documents to complete these types of requests.

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Appendix B:
Validation of Banking Information.
USAC may request additional documentation to validate and confirm the banking
information provided on a new or revised FCC Form 498 submission.
Information that may be requested to validate the banking information will consist of:
 The first page of a banking statement that clearly indicates the name of the entity,
bank name, routing number and account number; and/or
 A voided check that indicates the name of the entity, bank name, routing number
and account numbers.
Do not submit this additional documentation with your FCC Form 498 submission.
Not all FCC Form 498 submissions may require this validation. For example, if you
have an existing FCC Form 498 and file a revision that does not modify the banking
information, you will not be asked to validate the banking data included on the
revised form.
If USAC is required to validate the banking information, you will be contacted with
instructions on how to securely provide this documentation through our electronic filing
system for review. Once the documentation is received, USAC will review the documents
and approve the FCC Form 498 banking information. USAC will maintain your
documentation only as needed to validate your banking information or as required by the
Commission’s records requirements. These documents will otherwise be destroyed.

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