8660 Public Utilities Commission
Program Descriptions

15 - UNIVERSAL SERVICE TELEPHONE PROGRAMS

Universal Telephone Service programs are a critical component of PUC's groundbreaking work on behalf of California consumers in a rapidly changing telecommunications environment. These programs bring broadband services to unserved and underserved communities; assist consumers in managing their service in a competitive market; and protect consumers against telecommunications fraud.

The PUC oversees approximately $515 million in telecommunications consumer programs including the California Lifeline Fund, California Teleconnect Fund, Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program, and California High Cost Funds, all of which provide needed services to consumers and communities. The objectives of these 'universal telephone service' programs include: (1) ensuring basic telephone service remains available and affordable to all Californians regardless of geography, language, cultural, ethnic, physical, or income differences; (2) encouraging consumer choice among competitive telephone companies; (3) modifying, as necessary, the basic telephone service definition to incorporate new technology for all residential subscribers; and (4) ensuring consumers have access to sufficient information to make informed choices about basic service and universal lifeline telephone services. The California Teleconnect Fund program provides discounted telecommunication services to qualifying schools, libraries, hospitals, and community-based organizations. The California Advanced Services Fund Program encourages the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved rural and urban areas of California.