The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has announced that the inflation-based funding cap for Funding Year 2012 will be $2.338 billion, an increase of 2.1% from FY2011.
On May 17th, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission released an appeal decision granting the appeals of 15 applicants. In each case, USAC originally ruled that the applicant had violated technology plan regulations. The FCC has the authority to waive their rules if they believe an applicant has “demonstrated that special circumstances exist to justify a waiver.” The FCC argued that these specific cases did not involve waste, fraud or abuse and stated that the “public interest” was served by granting the 15 appeals.
On May 9, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission notified Jonathan Slaughter, owner and president of E-rate Consulting Services (ECS), LLC, that he is suspended from participating in the E-rate program and that they had initiated debarment proceedings.
On April 17, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission published two appeal decisions overturning denials made by USAC due to competitive bidding violations.
On February 6, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission released a Report & Order reforming and modernizing the Lifeline and Link Up Universal Service Fund (USF) programs. In the Order, the FCC also included a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on the best way to advance digital literacy through existing USF support programs. The FCC suggested having digital literacy programs administered through the E-rate as one possible option. Comments were due on April 2, 2012, and reply comments will be due May 1.
USAC’s Schools and Libraries Division hosts monthly service provider conference calls, providing information and guidance for vendors participating in the E-rate program. Funds For Learning has provided the following synopsis of the call.
Who has spring fever? The Form 471 deadline has passed, spring is here, the school year is almost over, and it’s time to think about summer vacation plans, right? Unfortunately, as anyone involved with E-rate knows, the E-rate is a 365 day program.
Within a few weeks of certifying the Form 471 in-window, applicants and service providers will receive a Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) for each application submitted. Upon receipt of the RAL(s), applicants and service providers should carefully review the letter, ensuring that the information on file with the SLD accurately reflects the intended information and requested amounts.
