The California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) was authorized by the Commission on December 20, 2007, in D.07-12-054 in accordance with Public Utilities Code § 701. It provides grants to “telephone corporations” as defined under Public Utilities Code § 234.
The total allocation for the CASF is $100 million. An expected two-year program, the CASF will promote universal service in unserved and underserved areas in the state by awarding funding to qualifying certificated applicant carriers. The funding will be used for projects that will a) provide broadband services to areas currently without broadband access and b) build out facilities in underserved areas if funds are still available. Funds shall be collected using an all-end-user surcharge billed and collected by telecommunications carriers.
Beginning on January 1, 2008, a surcharge rate of 0.25% was adopted to fund the program. Surcharge revenues shall be held by the carrier in a memorandum account tracking system and the account will accrue monthly interest on the accumulated balance at the short-term commercial paper rate. Carriers shall continue to hold custody of all the collected CASF surcharge revenues and accumulated interest until the Commission provides further direction on the disposition of these revenues..
On April 29, 2008, the Commission released the proposed Resolution T-17143 which would adopt the application requirements timelines, and scoring criteria for parties to qualify for broadband project funding under the CASF. This Resolution is subject to Commission vote at the May 29, 2008 meeting. See the link below to view the Resolution.
A hard copy of Commission decisions/orders can be obtained for a fee by calling the Commission’s Central Files Section at 415-703-2045. Questions about this program should be directed to Norman Low by phone at 415-703-1607 or by e-mail to ncl@cpuc.ca.gov.