E-rate Overview By TDS

Whats included in this E-rate overview: Quick summary Key steps in the process Timing Terms Contact information

Quick Summary A government program Provides about $2.25 billion annually to schools and libraries Makes telecommunications and Internet access more affordable Focus is grades K-12 Program provides reimbursements of up to 90% of eligible products/services

Quick Summary - continued A funding year generally matches the school year – running from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next year Key players –FCC (Federal Communications Commission) provides direction –USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) administers the Universal Service Fund –SLD (Schools & Libraries Division) administers the E-rate program

Quick Summary - continued Categories for Funding –Telecommunications –Internet Access –Internal Connections –Basic Maintenance on Internal Connections Telecommunications and Internet Access are Priority 1 Services, meaning theyre funded first Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance on Internal Connections are Priority 2 Services, funded after Priority 1

Key Steps in the Process Develop a Technology Plan (what you want funded and how youll use it to improve education) Post a Form 470 on the Schools and Libraries Web site (Services Sought - opens bidding) Go through the bidding process, then sign a contract with a vendor (if contracted service) File Form 471 (Services Ordered)

Key Steps… - continued SLD sends a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) to you about how much theyll fund File a Form 486 (Services Have Begun) SLD sends a 486 letter listing the approved amount

Key Steps… - continued TDS will send you an asking if you prefer reimbursement by check or on your bill If you want a check, file a BEAR/Form 472 for service youve already received and paid for –SLD will send the reimbursement to TDS, and TDS will send a check to you If you want reimbursment applied to your bill, please provide information as we request it

Timing Form 470 (services sought) –Post between May and early January for the following school year (exact dates vary – refer to SLD Web site) Form 471 (services ordered) - During filing Window – typically from early November until early February Form 486 (services have begun) - Between July 1 of new funding year and deadline Form 472/BEAR – Its your choice how often you wish to file the form for reimbursement by check

Terms Funding Request Number – FRN –SLD assigns a number to each separate request for service, for each funding year –If you contact TDS to ask an E-rate question, its helpful to provide the FRN so we can quickly access information for you

Terms - continued SPIN – Service Provider Identification Number –A unique number assigned by SLD to each vendor participating in the E-rate program –If you need a SPIN, contact TDS E-rate Customer Care (see contact info at end of this presentation) SPIN Change – a process an applicant follows to change from one service provider to another during a funding year

Terms - continued Billed Entity Number (BEN) – a unique number USAC assigns to each school and library for the E-rate program Pre-discounted Amount – the estimated total cost of a product/service, before any E-rate reimbursements are applied Funding Commitment Decision Letter – notification from SLD about the amount of E-rate funding approved

Terms - continued Eligible Services –The SLD Web site includes a list of products and services that are eligible for E-rate funding –Eligibility may depend on configuration, or how the service is used –FCC rules determine whats eligible

Where to Go For Help – TDS Customer Care Phone (toll free) FAX (toll free) Web site

Where to Go For Help – Schools & Libraries Hotline (push 0 for a representative) Web site