PSC 160.125(2)(b) (b) Any non-profit group may apply for universal service funding to fund any portion of a program or project or both. Funding shall be granted on a state fiscal year basis, but funding for more than one fiscal year may be approved at one time. The commission shall issue a list of approved programs or projects, or both, when grants are awarded. All applications become public documents upon filing.

PSC 160.125(2)(c) (c) Applications shall include:

PSC 160.125(2)(c)1. 1. A statement that the applicant is a non-profit group, as defined in s. PSC 160.02 (23).

PSC 160.125(2)(c)1m. 1m. A description of a public need which is not being met at present.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)2. 2. A description of how the program or project is consistent with the purpose identified in s. 196.218 (5) (a) 1., Stats.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)3. 3. A description of the program or project proposed, including a description of how the public need described in subd. 1m. may be met through affordable access to telecommunications.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)4. 4. A showing that the proposed program or project meets the described public need in a least cost manner. This requirement can be met by showing that the applicant carried out an appropriate request for proposals.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)5. 5. Identification of the providers of each portion of the telecommunications services or equipment and a specific description of the components of the program or project including all of the following:

PSC 160.125(2)(c)5.a. a. The costs of telecommunications services and telecommunications equipment used by the program or project.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)5.b. b. The cost of training for those who are served by the program or project so that they can use the services.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)5.c. c. The administrative costs directly attributable to the program or project.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)5.d. d. The cost of technical expertise required to complete the program or project.

PSC 160.125(2)(c)5.e. e. Revenue from services or training described in subd. 5. b.

PSC 160.125(2)(d) (d) The commission shall evaluate all complete and timely applications submitted. In evaluating the applications the commission shall consider information including all of the following:

PSC 160.125(2)(d)1. 1. The basis of the public need to be met.

PSC 160.125(2)(d)2. 2. The extent to which other programs or projects, either funded under this section or otherwise under this chapter, meet that need.

PSC 160.125(2)(d)3. 3. The overall cost of the proposed program or project.

PSC 160.125(2)(e) (e) The universal service fund shall reimburse applicants for up to 75% of the cost of reimbursable portions of the program or project, or both. The reimbursable costs include those listed in par. (c) 5. a. to d. The applicant may include in-kind goods or services, or both, as resources to be used for the remainder of the costs of the program or project, or both.

PSC 160.125(2)(f) (f) The commission shall determine the programs or projects, or both, to be funded and the amount of reimbursement for each program or project. The commission may grant a maximum of $500,000 in funding under this subsection per state fiscal year, or $1,000,000 per state biennium.

PSC 160.125 History History: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; renum. from 160.063 (title), (1), (2), (3) and (4) to be 160.125 (1) (title), renum. (1) to (4) to be (1) (a), (b), (d) and (e), cr. (1) (c) and (2), Register, April, 2000, No. 532, eff. 5-1-00; corrections in (2) (a), (c) 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register February 2013 No. 686; CR 13-068: am. (1) (title), (a), (b), (e), (2) (a), (b), renum. (2) (c) 1. to (2) (c) 1m. and am., cr. (2) (c) 1., am. (2) (c) 2., 3., 5. (intro.), a. to d., (d) (intro.), 1., 2., (e), (f) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16; correction under s. 35.17, Stats., in (2) (c) 1. Register January 2016 No. 721.

PSC 160.13 PSC 160.13 Designation of eligible telecommunications carriers.

PSC 160.13(1) (1) General.

PSC 160.13(1)(a) (a) The commission may designate a telecommunications provider as an eligible telecommunications carrier. This designation is not transferable.

PSC 160.13(1)(b) (b) The commission may suspend or revoke an ETC designation if the designee violates the requirements in this section.

PSC 160.13(2) (2) Requirements for ETC designation.

PSC 160.13(2)(a) (a) A full or low-income ETC, but not a federal-only ETC, is eligible to receive universal service funding for an area, under both applicable federal and state universal service programs, if it meets all of the following requirements:

PSC 160.13(2)(a)1. 1. Holds itself ready to offer all elements of essential telecommunications service, as defined in s. PSC 160.03 (2), to all customers in the area for which it is requesting ETC status.

PSC 160.13(2)(a)2. 2. Regularly advertises its service in the area for which it is requesting ETC status, with the advertisements meeting all of the following requirements:

PSC 160.13(2)(a)2.a. a. Are disseminated in media of general distribution in the area, at least 2 times per year.