Arkansas Universal Service Fund

Pursuant to Arkansas Act 77 of 1997 (Ark. Code Ann. § 23-17-401 et seq. ), the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) created the Arkansas Universal Service Fund (ARUSF). 

The Commission has also adopted its own Universal Service Fund Regulations implementing the statutory provisions of Act 77 of 1997, as well as relevant orders and directives. See generally In re Rulemaking Proceeding to Establish Rules and Procedures Necessary to Implement the Arkansas Universal Service Fund , Docket No. 97-041-R, Order No. 7, September 2, 1997. The ARUSF was designed to “reimburse incumbent local exchange carriers [(ILECs)] for net reductions in revenues, to the extent not authorized by the Commission to be recovered through modifications in rates applicable to basic local exchange services,” because of a number of specific factors. ARUSF Regulations, § 2.02. The ARUSF received its needed contribution amounts from all providers of intrastate telecommunication services, including providers of mobile telecommunications services but not radio paging services. The ARUSF was in operation from September 1997 thru June 2007 when it was replaced by the Arkansas High Cost Fund (ARHCF).

Rolka Loube Saltzer Associates, formerly known as Rhoads & Sinon Group, LLC, was the administrator of the ARUSF from January 2004 through the conclusion of operations in 2007.

NOTE that the Arkansas Universal Service Fund has been replaced by the Arkansas High Cost Fund (AR HCF).  The USF has concluded with the periods thru June 30, 2007.  The HCF began with periods starting July 1, 2007. 

Arkansas USF Letter of Introduction & Administration Change (Adobe pdf file) Company Codes & Names (by Co. Name) (Adobe pdf file) Contact Information Form (Microsoft® Excel file) Please see Arkansas Public Service Commission Docket No. 97-393-A for additional Information. Supplemental Instructions For Making Electronic Payments

ARUSF Assessment Rates Year Rate 1997 0.0100 1998 0.0100 1999 0.0050 2000 0.0075 2001 0.0075 2002 0.0080 2003 0.0075 2004 Jan - Mar 0.0080 2004 Apr - Dec 0.0095 2005 Jan - Jun 0.0095 2005 Jul - Dec 0.0170 2006 0.0150 2007 thru June 0.0070

Click on the file links below to download the ARUSF Carrier Revenue Worksheets and Instructions
Year	Revenue Worksheet	Worksheet Instructions	True-up Worksheet	True-up Instructions
2007, July-	See the ARHCF details by clicking here
2007, thru June			See the ARHCF details
2006			MS Excel file	Adobe pdf file
2005			MS Excel file	Adobe pdf file

For periods starting prior to 2005, please contact us by phone or email.