Release Notes

This page is designed to communicate all major dataset and platform fixes, enhancements, and known issues/problems that USAC has addressed based on valuable USAC Open Data community user feedback. If you encounter any issues and problems please email us at opendata@usac.org.

Release Date – October 04, 2024

Update 
The filters for this tool were modified so that Funding Year defaults to 2020 and onward. This change speeds up initial loading time for the chart by limiting historical data. Users can still easily access data for earlier Funding Years by toggling the filters. 

Release Date – September 30, 2024

 Update
  • Three new fields added: "General Contact Email", "Category One Discount Rate", “Category Two Discount Rate”
  • Minor updates to dataset metadata and PDF glossary.

Release Date – September 24, 2024

Update
The Search Posted Services Tool allows service providers to view service request information provided by individual health care providers (HCPs) and consortia applying for funding through the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) and Telecommunications Program.

Release Date – August 21, 2024

New Tool
E-Rate Service Provider Download Tool
  • The E-Rate Service Provider Download Tool can be used to view and export service provider profile data found in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). This data includes contact information for the service provider organization, as well as for the general contact and account administrator. Also included is service provider filing information for the FCC Form 473 and FCC Form 499.
New Dataset
E-Rate Service Provider Information
  • This dataset contains information from the service provider's profile in the EPC system (E-Rate Productivity System), which uses information that the service provider provides on the FCC Form 498, in addition to data inputted directly into the EPC system by the user. This dataset also includes basic information about the service provider's interaction with the FCC Form 473 (SPAC) and the FCC Form 499.

Release Date – October 14, 2024

Update
E-Rate FRN Status Tool FY2016+
  • Two new fields added: "FRN Original Requested Total Pre-Discount Costs" and "Original Requested Discount Percentage".

Release Date – August 1, 2024

Update
Emergency Connectivity Fund FCC Form 471
  • One new field added:  "FRN Deobligated?".

Release Date – June 27, 2024

Update
E-Rate Request for Discount on Services: FRN Status (FCC Form 471 and Related Information)
  • Two new fields added: "Consulting Firm Data" and "USAC Contract ID".

Release Date – June 24, 2024

Update
E-Rate Supplemental Entity Information
  • Two new fields added: "Tribal Affiliation" and "Other Tribe Name".

Release Date – June 10, 2024

Update

Release Date – June 5, 2024

New Tool
High Cost Detailed Payment Data Search
The High Cost Detailed Payment Data Search tool displays detailed payment data dating back 10 years to show dollar amounts disbursed to carriers that receive High Cost funding to provide voice and broadband service in rural America. The information in this tool reflects certain adjustments to payments for the current month and prior periods to account for funding caps, support phase downs and budget control mechanisms.
New Dataset
High Cost Detailed Payment Tool Data (Payments)
This dataset provides a detailed breakdown of payment made to eligible telecommunication carriers by month and year, for the past 10 years.
New Dataset
High Cost Detailed Payment Tool Data (Adjustments)
This dataset displays information regarding the type and dollar amounts of the prior period adjustments impacting the monthly disbursements paid to eligible telecommunication carriers that receive High Cost funding dating, back to the past 10 years.

Release Date – May 23, 2024

Update
High Cost: Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map)
  • The CAF Map Release 7.0.0 dataset displays the locations where carriers receiving CAF support have built out mass-market, high-speed Internet service. These locations were certified by the carriers as of March 6, 2024, to reflect broadband deployment through December 31, 2023, in the High Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) portal.
  • Minor updates to dataset metadata and PDF glossaries
High Cost CAF Disbursements and Locations Data
  • Data has been updated to include disbursements through December 31, 2023 and locations certified by the carriers as of March 6, 2024, reflecting broadband deployment through December 31, 2023, in the High Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) portal.

Release Date – March 4, 2024

New Tool
High Cost CAF Disbursements and Locations Search
The CAF Disbursements and Locations Search tool presents information at the Study Area Code (SAC) level about dollar amounts paid to carriers that participate in Connect America Fund (CAF) programs, the number of locations these carriers have deployed with CAF support and their total deployment obligations by location count. The tool allows users to search the dataset by state, filing year, carrier name, fund, and SAC, and displays disbursement and deployment numbers by both individual filing year and on a cumulative basis.
New Dataset
High Cost CAF Disbursements and Locations Data
The datasets in the CAF Disbursements and Locations Search tool are based on Connect America Fund (CAF) disbursement data; broadband deployment data reported and certified by carriers in the High Cost Universal Broadband portal, or HUBB; and carrier deployment obligations tracked by location count in the HUBB.

Release Date – March 1, 2024

Known Issue Resolved
E-Rate Request for Discount on Services: FRN Status (FCC Form 471 and Related Information)
The issue communicated in the release note from November 14, 2023, impacting the fields below is now resolved.
  • SPAC Filed?
  • Invoicing Mode
  • Total Disbursement Amount

Release Date – January 25, 2024

Known Issue Resolved
E-Rate Supplemental Entity Information
The issue communicated in the release note from November 14, 2023, impacting the fields below is now resolved.
  • FCC Form 498 Form Number
  • FCC Form 498 Status Date Time
  • FCC Form 498 Status

Release Date – January 18, 2024

Update
E-Rate Supplemental Information: Annexes
  • Dataset is updated to include the new field "Annex Organization ID".

Previous Release Notes