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 Fast Breaking E-Rate Information
 
New E-Rate Application Filing Window for 2013
 
The Fiscal Year 2013 application filing window for the FCC Form 471 will open at noon EST on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 and close at 11:59 pm EDT on Thursday, March 14, 2013. The window will be open for 93 days.
 
If you are just starting the application process, you should first review the FCC Form 470 and Instructions and the FCC Form 471 and Instructions. You can find these forms and instructions on the Forms page of the USAC website.
 
You should also review the FY2013 Eligible Services List to verify that the services you want to request are eligible for discounts.
Helpful hint:  explore USAC’s website and review previous News Briefs for important "do’s and don’ts".
 
File Early – We encourage applicants to file and certify FCC Forms 470 and 471 and to file Item 21 attachments early in the window.
File online: this allows for quicker decisions.
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E-Rate Alert: Expanded CIPA Requirements
 
NEW
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) -- New Requirement
Beginning July 1, 2012, when schools certify their compliance with CIPA, they will also be required to certify that their Internet safety policies have been updated to provide for educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, cyberbullying awareness, and response.
 
School and library authorities must certify either that they have complied with the requirements of CIPA; that they are undertaking actions, including any necessary procurement procedures, to comply with the requirements of CIPA; or that CIPA does not apply to them because they are receiving discounts for telecommunications services only.
 
Detailed information about CIPA compliance may be found at the Schools and Libraries division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).  Scroll down to the section
Documentation for "Undertaking Actions"
 
Children's Internet Protect Act (CIPA)
 
To receive discounts for Internet access and internal connections services under the universal service support mechanism, school and library authorities must certify that:
  • They are enforcing a policy of Internet safety that includes measures to block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions.
  • These include visual depictions that are (1) obscene, or (2) child pornography, or, with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors, (3) harmful to minors. An authorized person may disable the blocking or filtering measure during any use by an adult to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purpose.  
  • A school administrative authority must certify that its policy of Internet safety includes monitoring the online activities of minors. 
  • They have adopted and implemented an Internet safety policy addressing (i) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; (ii) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; (iii) unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online; (iv) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and (v) measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors.

Consult the SLD website for detailed information.

 E-Rate Tech Plan Reminders  

 

Applicants for Priority I (telecom and Internet services) are no longer required to have an approved technology plan.

Priority 2 (internal connections: wiring, hubs, routers, etc) applications still require an approved tech plan that covers at least part of the funding year for which services are required. The tech plan no longer needs to have a section on budget.
 
All technology plans for E-Rate applicants expire after three years and a new one must be approved by the start of that funding year – usually July 1st.
 
If the plan, covering at least part of the 2012-2013 school year is not approved, the SLD will not provide discount funding for any portion of the year up until the plan is finally approved.
 
Because the tech plan approval dates are critical, all applicants for Priority 2 services only should take this opportunity to confirm the status of their plan approval expirations. As a part of this process, applicants should check that copies of actual tech plan approval letters have been received and are being safely retained.
 
Requisite components of a technology plan, with information about entities allowed to grant tech plan approval, may be found on the Schools and Libraries (SLD) website
If the diocese or state does not approve Catholic school technology plans, they may be submitted to NCEA using the process described on the NCEA website at /public/PlanningForTechnology.asp
 
New Eligible Services
Dark fiber: Lease of dark fiber (lit or unlit) is eligible for telecom or Internet access from any provider, but it must be lit immediately and only that which will be used is eligible – cannot purchase excess capacity for potential future growth.
 
Community use of E-Rate services: After school hours schools may open their facilities to the general public to use E-rate supported services. Service must be primarily for educational use and only on campus. Schools may not charge for use of services, but may charge a fee to offset costs such as security, additional electricity, etc.
Consult the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) on the USAC website for latest information about these and other aspects of the program.