**Released: August 1, 2000**

# Common Carrier Bureau Announces Release Of September Version of Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-S) For Contributions to the Universal Service Support Mechanisms

DA 00-1735

CC Docket No. 98-171

In this Public Notice, the Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) announces the
release of the September 2000 version of the Telecommunications
Reporting Worksheet, FCC Form 499-S (\"September 2000 Worksheet\") and
accompanying instructions. All contributors to the federal universal
service support mechanisms \-- including every telecommunications
carrier providing interstate telecommunications and other providers of
interstate telecommunications for a fee \-- must file the September 2000
Worksheet,[^1] except that contributors whose contributions would be *de
minimis* under the Commission's rules need not file the September
worksheet.[^2] Data filed on the September 2000 Worksheet will be used
to calculate contributions to the universal service support mechanisms.

On July 14, 1999, the Commission amended its rules so that contributors
to the universal service support mechanisms, the Telecommunications
Relay Services (TRS) Fund, and the cost recovery mechanisms for
numbering administration and local number portablity need only file the
Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet for the purpose of determining
their contributions to these mechanisms.[^3] As an attachment to that
order, we released the initial version of the Telecommunications
Reporting Worksheet. On July 30, 1999, a three-judge panel of the United
States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a decision[^4]
affecting the assessment and recovery of universal service
contributions. In the *Universal Service Sixteenth Order on
Reconsideration*, the Commission adopted modifications to its rules
consistent with those portions of the court\'s decision concerning the
assessment and recovery of universal service contributions.[^5] To
ensure consistency with the Fifth Circuit's decision and the
Commission's Order on Reconsideration, the September 2000 Worksheet
being released today includes minor modifications.[^6] Most notably, the
September 2000 Worksheet requires filers to report separately their
interstate and international revenue, so that the administrators will be
able to calculate contributions to the universal service support
mechanisms in compliance with these decisions.[^7]

Information filed on the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets will be
compiled and used to calculate the universal service contribution
factors that will be used as the actual basis for contributions.
Contribution factors will be announced by Public Notice. The Universal
Service Administrative Company (USAC) will bill contributors directly
based on the information filed in the September 2000 Worksheets and the
publicly-released contribution factors. Payments must be made by the
date listed on USAC's bills.

Contributors must use the September 2000 Worksheet for their filings due
on September 1, 2000. Copies of the September 2000 Worksheet (FCC Form
499-S) and instructions may be downloaded from the Commission\'s Forms
Web Page (www.fcc.gov/formpage.html). Copies also may be obtained by
calling the fax-on-demand line at (202) 418-2830. Finally, copies may be
obtained from the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) at (973)
560-4400.

For further information, contact Suzanne McCrary, Jim Lande or Scott
Bergmann, Industry Analysis Division, Common Carrier Bureau, at (202)
418-0940.

[^1]: 47 C.F.R. § 54.711(a).

[^2]: 47 C.F.R. § 54.708.

[^3]: *1998 Biennial Regulatory Review \-- Streamlined Contributor
    Reporting Requirements Associated with Administration of
    Telecommunications Relay Services, North American Numbering Plan,
    Local Number Portability, and Universal Service Support Mechanisms*,
    Report and Order, FCC 99-175, CC Docket No. 98-171 (rel. July 14,
    1999) (*Contributor Reporting Requirements Order*) (also adopting an
    April version of the worksheet that will be used to calculate
    contributions to the TRS Fund and the cost recovery mechanisms for
    numbering administration and local number portability, as well as
    the universal service support mechanisms). Thus, all
    telecommunications carriers will file the April worksheet, whether
    or not they meet the de minimis threshold for purposes of
    contributing to the universal service support mechanisms.

[^4]: *Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel v. FCC*, 183 F.3d 393 (5th
    Cir. 1999).

[^5]: *Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service*, Sixteenth Order
    on Reconsideration, FCC 99-290, CC Docket No. 96-45 (rel. Oct. 8,
    1999).

[^6]: *See Contributor Reporting Requirements Order*, ¶¶ 39-40
    (delegating authority to the Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau to
    make changes to the Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet). *See
    also* 47 C.R.R. §§ 52.17(b), 52.32(b), 54.711(c),
    64.604(c)(4)(iii)(B).

[^7]: These modifications are consistent with those made to the April
    2000 Worksheet. *See Common Carrier Bureau Announces Release of
    Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (FCC Form 499-A) For April 1,
    2000 Filing By All Telecommunications Carriers*, Public Notice, DA
    00-471, CC Docket No. 98-171 (rel. Mar. 1, 2000).