Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETCs)
An ETC is a telecommunications provider that has been designated by a state commission or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to receive federal universal service funding.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has jurisdiction over Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designations in California.
Federal Universal Service Programs
ETCs are eligible to receive funding from federal programs that help ensure affordable and accessible telecommunications services, especially in rural and low-income areas. These programs include:
- Lifeline (discounts for low-income consumers)
- High Cost Program (support for providers in rural/underserved areas)
- E-Rate (support for schools and libraries)
- Rural Health Care Program (support for eligible health care providers)
How to become an ETC
The CPUC has established the Comprehensive Procedures and Guidelines for ETC Designation in Resolution T-17002.
Carriers seeking designation as an ETC are required to adhere to the comprehensive procedures and guidelines outlined in Appendix A of Resolution T-17002. A telecommunications company must file a Tier 3 Advice Letter to apply for an ETC designation, demonstrating that the company meets qualifying criteria and program requirements.
General Rules for filing Advice Letter are provided in General Order 96-B.
For information regarding Communications Division Advice Letter Process, including how to submit an advice letter to the Commission, please visit: https:///www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/advice-letter-information.
- To obtain ETC designation, please follow the instructions in Resolution T-17002.
| Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Name (*) | CPCN or WIR | Resolution or Decision | Date of Approval | Others (**) | LifeLine Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Voice Wireless, LLC (branded Feel Safe Wireless) | 4451 | T-17448 | 8/28/2014 | Yes | |
| American Broadband & Telecom Co | 4457 | T-17516 | 9/14/2017 | Yes | |
| AmeriMex Communications Corp (dba SafetyNet Wireless) | 4458 | T-17455 / T-17543 | 12/4/2014 | Yes | |
| Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc. | 7297 | T-17735 | 6/4/2021 | Yes | |
| Assurance Wireless USA LP (fka Virgin Mobile) | 4327 | T-17388 | 2/28/2013 | Yes | |
| AT&T Pacific Bell | 1001 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Boomerang Wireless (dba enTouch Wireless) | 4436 | T-17436 | 5/15/2014 | Yes | |
| Cal.net, Inc. | 7309 | T-17640 | 1/31/2019 | Yes | Yes |
| Calaveras Telephone Company | 1004 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| California Internet, dba GeoLinks | 7326 | T-17646 | 2/21/2019 | Yes | |
| Cal-Ore Communications, Inc. | 7035 | T-17735 | 6/4/2021 | Yes | |
| Cal-Ore Telephone Company | 1006 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Charter FiberLink CA-CCO, LLC | 6878 | T-17735 | 6/4/2021 | Yes | |
| Citizens Telecom Co. of California | 1024 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Citizens Telecom Co. of Golden State | 1025 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Citizens Telecom Co. of Tuolumne | 1023 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| ConnecTo | 6977 | T-17152 | 12/18/2008 | Yes | |
| Consolidated Communications of California | 1015 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | Yes |
| Cox California Telcom, LLC | 5684 | D.13-10-002 | 10/3/2013 | Yes | Yes |
| DISH Wireless | 4533 | T-17830 | 1/24/2025 | Yes | |
| Ducor Telephone Company | 1007 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Foresthill Telephone Company (Sebastian) | 1009 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Frontier (fka Verizon CA) | 1002 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | Yes |
| Frontier Communications of the Southwest | 1026 | T-17293 | 9/23/2010 | Yes | Yes |
| Global Connection, Inc. of America (dba Stand Up Wireless) | 4423 | T-17466 | 12/18/2014 | Yes | |
| Happy Valley Telephone Co. (TDS) | 1010 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Hornitos Telephone Company (TDS) | 1011 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Hunter Communications and Technologies, LLC | 7281 | T-17735 | 6/4/2021 | Yes | |
| IM Telecom, LLC (dba Infiniti Mobile) | 4499 | T-17729 | 6/4/2021 | Yes | |
| i-wireless, LLC | 4372 | T-17449 | 9/11/2014 | Yes | |
| Kerman Telephone Company (Sebastian) | 1012 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| LCB Communications | 7243 | T-17827 | 9/12/2024 | Yes | |
| Mpower Communications Corp. (formerly MGC Communications) | 5859 | T-16137 | 3/26/1998 | Yes | |
| Pinnacles Telephone Company | 1013 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Ponderosa Telephone Company | 1014 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Sage Telecom Communications, LLC | 4456 | T-17468 | 1/29/2015 | Yes | |
| Sierra Telephone Company, Inc. | 1016 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Siskiyou Telephone Company | 1017 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| TAG Mobile, LLC | 4411 | T-17437 | 5/15/2014 | Yes | |
| Telrite Corp. (dba Life Wireless) | 4442 | T-17462 | 11/21/2014 | Yes | |
| Time Warner Cable Information Services (CA) | 6874 | D.14-03-038 | 4/3/2014 | Yes | |
| Time Warner Cable Information Services, LLC | 6874 |
T-17735; Also appears in D.14-03-038 |
6/4/2021 | Yes | Yes |
| Truconnect Communications (fka Telscape Communications) | 4380 | T-17340 | 10/6/2011 | Yes | |
| Varcomm | 7385 | T-17771 | 7/20/2022 | Yes | |
| Verizon Value, Inc. dba TracFone | 4231 | T-17467 | 8/13/2015 | Yes | |
| Volcano Telephone Company | 1019 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes | |
| Winterhaven Telephone Company (TDS) | 1021 | T-16105 | 12/16/1997 | Yes |
(*) This list includes carriers that were approved for ETC designations by the CPUC. Some carriers may no longer be active ETCs.
(**) Other designations include ETC designations for various programs, such as the Federal High-Cost Program and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
Annual Certification for Federal High-Cost Support, 47 CFR § 54.314
Due by September 15, 2026
More Information
For inquiries related to ETCs, email cal-etc@cpuc.ca.gov.