California
Teleconnect Fund
Program
The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) program provides qualified organizations with up to a 50% discount off eligible telecommunications services* offered by Astound Business in California.
The program was established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 1996 to reaffirm the organization’s commitment to universal service and provides these discounts to qualifying applicants in the following categories:
- K-12 public and non-profit private schools
- Libraries
- Community colleges
- Government-owned and operated hospitals and health clinics
- Community-based organizations (CBOs)
- Healthcare CBOs
- 2-1-1 providers
The CTF program is funded through a surcharge on all customers that purchase intrastate telecommunications services.
Eligible Products*
Business High Speed Internet
Dark Fiber
Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)
Ethernet Local Access Network (ELAN)
Ethernet Private Line (EPL)
Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL)
IP Transit
Wavelength
For more information on the program and to find a link to the CTF Applicant and Participant Guidebook, which includes the most recent information on eligibility criteria, instructions for how to apply, and the application forms, visit: www.cpuc.ca.gov/ctf
*Please note: Discounts on Voice Services are no longer funded by the CPUC.
Application Process
- Review all relevant CTF information, and mail your organization’s application to the following address:California Public Utilities Commission
Communications Division – CTF Program
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102 - Once you are approved as a qualified CTF-eligible organization, the CPUC will send an approval letter via email. Submit that letter to the following email address: CTFprogram@astound.com
If you are an organization receiving the federal E-Rate subsidy in conjunction with the CTF subsidy, please notify us of your funding method selection. See below for information regarding E-Rate support.
For newly approved applicants, the discount begins on the date your application was received by the CPUC, provided you have contacted Astound Business within 30 days of receiving approval notification.
Application Renewal Process
The CPUC requires all CTF participants to renew their applications every three to five years to re-certify their eligibility for CTF discounts. The Application Renewal Process applies only to entities with approved CTF applications.
E-Rate Support
E-rate is a federal program administered by the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) at the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Like the CTF Program, E-rate provides funding for connectivity to schools and libraries.
Most CTF-eligible services are also eligible for support from E-rate (for qualifying entities). E-rate provides discounts ranging from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services.
If your school or library is located in California and also qualifies for the E-Rate program, service providers must apply the Statewide Average E-Rate discount before applying the CTF discount on eligible services, where applicable.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the CTF program, please contact us at: CTFprogram@astoundbusiness.com
