USAC’s Schools and Libraries Division hosts monthly conference calls, providing information and guidance for service providers participating in E-rate. The monthly call for October was held on the 6th. Here is a brief synopsis of the call.
Funding Waves
Since the September call, USAC approved five funding waves for FY09 and FY10. For FY2009, USAC is denying Priority 2 funding requests at 76% and below and funding approved requests at 77% and above. The funding threshold is likely to remain at this level for the duration of the FY09 requests.
For Funding Year 2009, USAC issued waves 65 on 9/9 for $5.2M, 66 on 9/15 for $8M, 67 on 9/22 for $2.3M, 68 on 9/29 for $12M and 69 on 10/6 for $2.5M.
For Funding Year 2010, USAC is currently approving P2 requests at 85% and above. For Funding Year 2010, USAC issued waves 16 on 9/8 for $28.6M, 17 on 9/14 for $31.6M, 18 on 9/21 for $23.9M, 19 on 9/28 for $87.2M and 20 on 10/06 for $95.7M.
Public Notice DA10-1664
The FCC will be implementing a new financial system in October. During this time, USAC will not have full access to up-to-date payment information nor Red Light Display System statuses. During the blackout period, applicants may still:
- File applications electronically and make payment on-line via Remittance Over Secure Internet E-Commerce (ROSIE).
- Use the Commission’s on-line Fee Filer system to pay their debts.
- Mail applications, paper filings, payments of debts, monetary forfeitures, voluntary contributions and Form 159s to the USAC lockbox bank (U.S. Bank, located in St. Louis, MO).
- File applications and filings with the Commission.
- Contact the Revenues, Receivables Operations group and USAC’s Financial Operations Helpdesk for questions and concerns.
FCC Sixth Report and Order
The FCC Sixth Report and Order was officially released on September 28th. This Order covered a variety of topics including:
- The eligibility of Dark Fiber
- Technology Plans are needed for P2 Requests only
- Indexing the funding cap with inflation
- Operational SPIN changes
- Community use programs
- Receiving gifts
If you do not agree with the changes proposed in the Orders you can file a Petition to Reconsider with the FCC.
Questions
Has there been any discussion about raising the amount of funding to the program as a whole? At the current pace it would seem that within just a few years there will be no funding left for priority 2 requests.
Yes, the FCC Sixth Report and Order indexed the funding cap with inflation. The Funding Cap for 2010 (not counting any potential carryover) will be $2,700,250,000. The cap will not lower in case of deflation.
The next call is scheduled for November 3, 2010.
The above information is not the official minutes from the call, but simply notes from a call participant.
