In 1997 the Commission adopted rules providing support for the Universal Service Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism (E-rate Program). FCC Forms 470 and 471 are required to determine eligibility by schools and libraries for discounts under the program, so that they can purchase telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections, and maintenance services.
On July 23, 2014, the Commission released a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, WC Docket No. 13-184, FCC 14-99 (E-Rate Modernization Order), instituting new rules to modernize the E-rate program. The program modifications initiated in the E-Rate Modernization Order, result, in part, from numerous meetings Commission staff conducted with interested parties, including school districts, libraries, associations, and service providers.
The order adopts new rules and procedures to streamline the E-rate program. The Commission modifies the existing FCC Forms 470 and 471 to provide a streamlined application process that encourages district wide applications, applications from multiple school districts, and consortia applications. Furthermore, it provides a streamlined multi-year application process further reducing the burden for applicants in subsequent years. The order also modifies E-rate program rules to require applicants and service providers to retain supporting documentation for ten years, as opposed to the previous 5 year period. Finally, the revised E-rate application process will require online applications, reducing the opportunity for omissions and clerical errors. The filing process is also being modernized to provide a simple, web-based interface for submission of the FCC Forms 470 and 471. The E-rate program Administrator, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), will implement the revised information collection for these forms through an online interface on the USAC web site. Through this interface, applicants will be able to input data in required fields and have calculations and other data auto-populated for them in other related fields or worksheets. In the future, this information will be stored and auto-populated for the applicants. Combined, these modifications should reduce administrative costs for applicants, service providers, and USAC.
The burdens for 3060-0806 are not changing; however, the Commission has re-evaluated how the burdens are distributed based further analysis of the respondents who file FCC Forms 470 and 471.
$0
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Cara Voth 202 418-7400
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Universal Service - Schools and Libraries Universal Service Program - FCC Form 470, Private Sector