Get the Facts on the Kansas Universal Service Fund

The Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) was created by the enactment of House Bill 2728 (Telecommunications Act) by the 1996 Kansas Legislature.
The purpose of the KUSF is to assure quality services be made available to all Kansans.
All telecommunications companies must contribute (to the KUSF) a percentage of all intrastate (within Kansas) retail revenues. The company is authorized to pass on its assessment to the consumer.
KUSF support is distributed back to the local telephone companies and designated eligible telecommunication carriers to offset the costs of providing service.

The KUSF also supports the following:

Lifeline - assistance to the disadvantaged (matched by federal universal funds)
Kansas Relay Services, Inc. - hearing impaired relay center service
Telecommunications Access Program - to provide terminal equipment for disabled individuals
Support network enhancements and upgrades in rural areas

Other Important Facts

The Fund Administrator is GVNW Consulting, Inc. which was selected by a competitive bid process.
The Kansas Corporation Commission is currently in the process of auditing local telephone companies to determine if the amount of the fund should be lowered or raised.