1. 2016 E-rate Training Preparing for Funding Year 2017
2016 Roadshow Training
2016 E-rate Training
Preparing for Funding Year 2017

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. This year is going to be better.

8. 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 Window will open?

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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?

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

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

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

20. 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

21. Questions from you….