VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OVERVIEW VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OVERVIEW VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Aug 23, 2023 235 likes •346 views

VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OVERVIEW VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OVERVIEW VUSF supports 5 programs 2% fee on retail telecommunications services (i.e. telephone service) Collected on retail telecommunications persons purchasing

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SLIDE 1

VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OVERVIEW

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VERMONT UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND OVERVIEW

  • VUSF supports 5 programs
  • 2% fee on retail telecommunications services (i.e. telephone service)
  • Collected on retail telecommunications persons purchasing service
  • ILECs
  • CLECs
  • Mobile Carriers – prepaid and post paid
  • fee is a line item on consumers’ bills
  • Fund Managed by an independent fiscal agent --- Solix, Inc.
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SUPPORTED PROGRAMS

  • Fiscal Agent Contract – Solix Inc.
  • Vermont Lifeline Program – bill credits to low income telephone users
  • Telephone Relay Service – Communications service for deaf and

hard of hearing

  • Equipment Distribution Program – equipment for deaf and hard of

hearing

  • Enhanced 911- disbursements set by state budget
  • Connectivity Fund – supported by previous year surplus in the fund
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$6,325,380.00 $6,778,983.00 $6,556,000.00 $6,246,000.00 $5,815,000.00 $5,956,973.00 $6,047,158.00 $6,095,000.00 $5,682,000.00 $5,572,000.00 $4,000,000.00 $4,500,000.00 $5,000,000.00 $5,500,000.00 $6,000,000.00 $6,500,000.00 $7,000,000.00 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

VUSF Revenues and Expenses 2014-2018

Revenue Expenses

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FISCAL YEAR 2018 DISBURSEMENTS

Source: 2018 VUSF Audit. Disbursements chart excludes disbursements from Connectivity Fund.

Total Revenue: $5,815,000 Total Disbursement: 5,572,000$

$103,000.00 $171,000.00 $456,000.00 $4,842,000.00

FY 2018 Disbursements

Administrative Relay Lifeline E911

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VUSF BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2019

Total Projected Revenues: $5,822,150 Total Projected Expenses: $5,564,893

$107,900.00 $186,192.00 $364,618.00 $4,831,183.00 $75,000.00 VUSF FY2019 Budget Administrative Relay Lifeline E911 Equipment

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CONNECTIVITY FUND

  • Supports the High Cost Program and Connectivity Initiative
  • High Cost Program provides ongoing support to Vermont Eligible

Telecommunications Carriers (VETCs).

  • Connectivity Initiative is a grant program that funds last mile broadband

expansion.

  • Fiscal agent determines amount of available funding from previous year

surplus.

  • 45% goes to High Cost, 55% goes to Connectivity
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$1,926,000.00 $1,140,000.00 $461,000.00 $400,000.00 $- $- $500,000.00 $1,000,000.00 $1,500,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $2,500,000.00 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Amount Fiscal Year

VUSF Distributions to the Connectivity Fund by Year

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SLIDE 9

FUND TRENDS

  • Declines in assessable revenue
  • Declines in phone rates
  • Shift from regulated to non-regulated revenues
  • Prepaid calling cards legislation
  • Expense Fluctuations
  • Decline in lifeline recipients
  • Decline in TRS traffic
  • Steady increase in E911 funding