Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

The Universal Service Administrative Company is a not-for-profit arm of the FCC, which is committed to connecting the nation with accessible, affordable, high-speed (universal) connectivity.

The funds dispersed by USAC fill the gaps in areas of the nation that have no access to broadband which is dependent for “services needed to work, learn, heal and communicate.” $10 billion are dispersed annually to schools, libraries and rural health care entities, to name a few. More information about USAC can be found here.

Filing Window Open

The current filing window is for services beginning July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.

Rural Health Care Program (RHC)

The RHC supports eligible rural health care entities in obtaining broadband connectivity by which aid in providing the nation with exceptional medical care. The RHC programs Healthcare Connect Fund provide $660 million annually for broadband and telecom services. By participating in the RHC Healthcare Connect Fund, CHA Broadband Services members receive up to 65% subsidy on broadband expenses and network equipment. Click here to learn more about this program.

RHC Program Eligible Entities

  • A post-secondary educational institution offering health care instruction, such as teaching hospitals or medical schools,
  • A community health center or health center providing health care to migrants,
  • A local health department or agency,
  • A community mental health center,
  • A not-for-profit hospital,
  • A rural health clinic, including mobile clinics,
  • A dedicated emergency room of a rural for-profit hospital, or
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs).

More about eligible entities can be found here.

RHC Program Eligible Services and Equipment

Any advanced telecommunications or information service that enables HCPs to post their own data, interact with stored data, generate new data, or communicate, by providing connectivity over private dedicated networks or the public Internet for the provision of health information technology. (Healthcare Connect Fund FCC 12-150, paragraph 111.) Eligible telecommunications services and charges include hardware and services that operate and maintain the data transport network such as:

  • Firewalls
  • Switches
  • Routers
  • Modems
  • Maintenance
  • Management
  • Warranties

These services are supported up to the maximum allowable distance (MAD). The applicant is responsible for the cost of services beyond the MAD. More about eligible services can be found here.

Want more information?

Contact Rob Jenkins, Senior Director, Broadband Services, at 720.330.6021