California Teleconnect Fund (CTF)

The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) was established by Decision (D.) 96-10-066 and is governed by Public Utilities Code Sections 280 and 884. In D.96-10-066, the CPUC reaffirmed its commitment to universal service, and in accordance with state and federal directives, created the CTF program to provide discounted rates to qualifying K-12 schools, libraries, community colleges, government-owned health care providers, and community-based organizations. Qualified entities receive a 50% discount on eligible advanced telecommunications services through telecommunications carriers participating in the program. The CTF program is funded through a surcharge on all customers that purchase intrastate telecommunications services and has an adopted budget of $128 million for Fiscal Year 2018-2019.

As of December 2018, a total of 13,324 qualified entities – 3,584 K-12 schools, 505 libraries, 97 community colleges, 8,965 community-based organizations, 172 government-owned hospitals and health clinics, and 1 telemedicine network – receive CTF discounts on eligible telecommunications services through 77 participating carriers.

California Teleconnect Fund Fact Sheet 

Information for Applicants and Participants

Eligible entities can apply for CTF by submitting an application specific to their category. Approved entities will receive an approval letter which must be presented to their provider. The provider will discount the CTF eligible services on the bill. All approved CTF participants are subject to recertification after three years.

The California Teleconnnect Fund has a guidebook to assist applicants. In the Application Guidebook you will find information on eligibility criteria; telecommunications services eligible for CTF discounts; instructions on how to apply for CTF and the Application Form.

• E-Rate State Wide Average
• List of Approved CTF Participants (Based on applications received before July 1, 2019)

Questions for applicants and participants can be directed to:

Karo Serle (Karo.serle@cpuc.ca.gov) and Amy Lau (Amy.lau@cpuc.ca.gov)

Telecommunications carriers are key to the CTF program as they are the channel through which program participants receive CTF discounts. Carriers offer program participants CTF discounts on eligible telecommunications services and submit claims to the CPUC for reimbursement. Carriers must obtain the appropriate certification or registration from the CPUC and seek approval from the CTF Program prior to offering discounts and filing claims.

The Carrier Guide Book advises telecommunications service providers regarding the administration of the CTF program. The guidebook discusses the carrier program participation requirements, the telecommunications services that are eligible to receive the CTF discount, the procedures for applying the CTF discount to customer bills, and the process for requesting reimbursement through claim submissions.

Service provider questions can be directed to:

Andrew Aliabadi (Andrew.aliabadi@cpuc.ca.gov) and Wylen Lai (Wylen.lai@cpuc.ca.gov) - Claim Issues