2016 E-rate Training Preparing for Funding Year 2017 2016 Roadshow Training 2016 E-rate Training Preparing for Funding Year 2017

History of E-rate Established by Congress, Directed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), Managed by USAC (Universal Services Administration Company) Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 Funding comes from a Universal Services Fee that is on all telephone bills E-rate started in 1998 Since 1998 E-rate has committed $43.5 billion to schools and libraries E-rate is one of 4 Universal Service Programs E-rate Connect America Fund Low Income Rural Health

What does E-rate fund? Provides funding for specific services Internet Access Wide Area Network Connections Connecting schools to district Connecting libraries to one another Local Area Network Equipment and Cabling Does not fund end-user equipment such as laptops, smartboards, iPads Does not fund applications such as Student Level Database E-rate is a discount program, not a grant program Applicants must receive the services before they can receive the discounts Applicants must apply for discounts each Funding Year

How important is E-rate to Mississippi? $639,168,251 committed to Mississippi since 1998 $44,897,712 has been committed to Mississippi just for FY2015 The average discount for schools and libraries is 85% Every public school district in the state participates in e-rate 98% of public libraries participate in e-rate 98% of public schools have broadband fiber connections The remaining 2% are either served by microwave or are located in Independent Phone Company area that has not deployed fiber

Is E-rate Important to you? I would hope everyone says yes

First, let’s talk about last year What worked well? What didn’t work well? What should we have told you that we didn’t tell you? I know, I can’t remember last year either.

This year is going to be better.

The 471 Window Last year we had two 471 Windows One, for school districts to enter their school data and complete their 471s Two, for libraries and consortia to complete their 471s Libraries and consortia are dependent upon the school data to determine their discount Libraries and consortia had to wait for districts to complete their applications before they could begin Thus, the second Window (delayed FCDLs) This year we will have only one 471 Window, just as we did prior to last year Districts will have a specific deadline (mid-January) to update their school data Once that deadline is reached, the school data will be locked down and no more changes allowed Then, everyone (districts, libraries, consortia can file 471s) When do you think the 2017 471 Window will open?

The Data – Two sets Portal Data Application Data Entity Name Entity Address NIF? Full Time Student Count Part Time Student Count Connectivity Entity Name Entity Address NIF? Full Time Student Count Part Time Student Count Connectivity

The Data – From Portal to 471, during PIA Portal Data 471 Application Data Entity Name Entity Address NIF? Full Time Student Count Part Time Student Count Connectivity Entity Name Entity Address NIF? Full Time Student Count Part Time Student Count Connectivity

The Data – From 471 back to Portal Portal Data 471 Application Data T Entity Name Entity Address NIF? Full Time Student Count Part Time Student Count Connectivity Entity Name Entity Address NIF? Full Time Student Count Part Time Student Count Connectivity This is what we are waiting for

The data – Start your preparation now Verify entity names Verify addresses Update student count Update connectivity Update users Update contracts Have this information ready when the Portal is unlocked.

What has changed? Not much. They are trying to make the current system work better. DRT - Done Invoice Extensions – Done (part of the BEAR process) Form 500 – update C2 budgets C2 budget tool Support staff

471 Application During training last year, I stated that 471s would take _________ to complete. This is because when the Window opens, you will have already updated all of your Portal Information, including connectivity data. You can port your 2016 FRN information into your 2017 FRN information If nothing has changed then you just change service start dates and basically submit If anything major has changed (contract, new services, recipients of service) then you will have to make corrections to reflect the new FRN Still, much quicker Besides, you are a pro by now, right?

BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement vs SPI (Service Provider Invoice) SP invoices Applicant Applicant pays invoice in full At some point, Applicant files BEAR USAC make direct payment into applicant’s bank account SP not involved SP invoices Applicant for non-discounted amount SP invoices USAC for discount amount Applicant not involved

BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement) vs SPI (Service Provider Invoice) Applicant is supposed to inform SP of choice prior to filing 471 Applicant cannot assume SP knows Applicant’s preference SP cannot assume Applicant’s preference is the same as last year Applicant and SP must communicate with one another

What is the advantage of SPI vs BEAR? Depends BEAR reimbursement probably goes back into the General Fund Discount on invoice means invoices that the Technical Department pays will be reduced, thus possibly saving the Technical Department funds. Thus freeing up funds to pay for other technical services and equipment But it depends.

Templates C1, WAN and Internet C1, Voice C2, Internal Connections C2, Managed Wi-Fi

Templates C1, WAN and Internet C1, Voice C2, Internal Connections C2, Managed Wi-Fi

Category 2 Budgets For a school district, the first year of the C2 budget for all of the individual schools in the school district is the first year, starting with FY2015, in which ANY individual school in the school district receives a positive commitment from USAC on a C2 funding request. After FY2019 the FCC will have to make a decision Continue with the C2 Budget plan Revert back to the 2 in 5 rule Or do something else

Questions from you….