Notice of Utility Tariff Filing

The REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (Commission) gives notice that the Alaska Universal Service Administrative Company (AUSAC) filed TA40-998 seeking Commission approval of the 2023 Alaska Universal Service Fund (AUSF) surcharge factor. AUSAC is the entity selected by the Commission to administer the AUSF.

The AUSF surcharge is calculated to allow sufficient funding for the AUSF, including Essential Network Support, estimated 2022 shortfall, working cash allowance, and AUSAC’s 2023 operating budget. AUSAC calculated the 2023 AUSF surcharge factor at 30.8 percent; however, this is above the 10 percent surcharge cap imposed by 3 AAC 53.340(d). AUSAC therefore is not requesting an increase to the AUSF surcharge factor from the currently approved 10 percent.

Public utilities that provide intrastate telecommunications service are required to pay the AUSF surcharge to AUSAC and have the option of passing this cost on to their customers. If passed through to end users, the surcharge appears on customers’ in-state billings as the “Alaska Universal Service Fund Surcharge.” AUSAC has requested a January 1, 2023, effective date for TA40-998.

This notice may not contain all requested revisions and the Commission may approve a rate or classification, which varies from that proposed. You may obtain information about this filing by contacting Keegan Bernier, Agent for AUSAC, at 810 N Street, Suite 204, Anchorage, AK 99501; phone: (907) 561-6300. The complete filing is also available for inspection at the Commission’s office at 701 West 8 ^th Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501; phone: (907) 276-6222, or may be viewed at the Commission’s website at http://rca.alaska.gov by typing “TA40-998” in the Find a Matter search box.

To comment on this filing, please file your comments by 5:00 p.m., November 14, 2022, at the Commission’s address given above or via our website at:

https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx

Please reference TA40-998 and include a statement that you have filed a copy of the comments with AUSAC at its address given above. Individuals or groups of people with disabilities, who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or service, or alternative communication formats, please contact Naomi Johnston at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782, TTY/Alaska Relay: 7-1-1 or 1-800-770-8937, or send a request via electronic mail to rca.mail@alaska.gov by November 7, 2022.

DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 12th day of October, 2022.

REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA

David Parrish

Common Carrier Section Manager