IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: September 4, 2019
- Mandatory Application Renewal Process has begun for members of the California Telehealth Network currently participating in the California Teleconnect Fund program. Please watch for notifications.
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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.
Application Renewal Process
The CPUC requires all CTF participants to renew their applications every three to five years to recertify their eligibility for CTF discounts. The Application Renewal Process applies only to entities with approved CTF applications.
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.
Questions for applicants and participants can be directed to:
Karo Serle (Karo.serle@cpuc.ca.gov) and Amy Lau (Amy.lau@cpuc.ca.gov)
Information for Carriers
The California
Teleconnect Fund has a manual to advise
service providers regarding the administration of the CTF program. The manual discusses participation requirements for
service providers, the categories of services that are eligible to receive the
CTF discount, instructions on how to apply the CTF discount to customer bills,
and the process for requesting reimbursement through claim submissions.