New Jersey ETC Certification

Brightspeed of New Jersey, Inc. f/k/a United Telephone Company of New Jersey, Inc.  (“Company”) filed Notice on June 30, 2023, with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“Board”) seeking certification of Company’s use of federal high-cost universal support funds for 2024.  Under the rules of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) the Board must certify annually that Company is using federal high-cost universal support funds in a manner consistent with Section 254 (e) of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 in order for Company to continue to receive such funds as an “eligible telecommunications carrier” (ETC) under the Act. 

Annual ETC reporting requirements for recipients of federal high-cost support are contained in 47 C.F.R. § 54.313 of the FCC’s rules. For the reporting of most of the data and certifications required by 47 C.F.R. §§ 54.313 and 54.422, the FCC has developed a reporting template, Form 481, to be utilized by ETCs. These filings are now provided to USAC through their online “E-File” portal and are available to state commissions through the portal. State commissions can contact USAC for additional information on obtaining FCC Form 481 information from the portal. 

Consistent with past years, Company requests that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities certify to the FCC pursuant to 47 C.F.R § 54.314 by October 1, 2023, in order for the Company to continue receiving Federal high-cost support in New Jersey.