New and Updated ERate System Enhancements

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New and Updated E-RateSystem Enhancements

• As Told To
• Georgia Dept. of Education
• And
• Educational Technology Training Centers

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Overview

• Three systems enhancements

• Applicant Personal Identification Number (PIN)
• Block 4 bulk upload for Form 471
• Online Item 21 Attachment

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PIN

• Applicant PIN
• Allows certification of forms online
• Forms 470, 471 and 486
• Faster and better for applicants
• More efficient forms processing

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PIN

• Use of a push strategy
• Applicant PINs will be issued to previous
  submitters of Forms 470, 471, and 486 for Fund
  Year 2005
• Will also be issued to submitters of Form 470 for
  Fund Year 2006
• Provides wide availability
• Rollout of PINs expected to begin three weeks
  prior to window opening

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PIN

• Applicant PIN Features
• Six to eight characters
• At least one standard character
• At least one special character (!_at_)

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PIN
PIN Secure Mailer
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PIN

• Questions and Answers

• Will my old PIN work?
• No, the new system is replacing the former PIN
  system
• Can I change my PIN?
• Yes, by using the PIN interface that will be
  available on the USAC web site

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PIN

• Questions and Answers
• Can I apply for a new PIN if I have not been
  issued one?
• At this time, new PINS are only being issued to
  previous submitters

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PIN

• Questions and Answers
• If an employee leaves, can their PIN be disabled?
• Any holder of a PIN can disable their own PIN
• A written request by an applicants authorized
  representative can be used to disable the PIN of
  a departing employee

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PIN

• Questions and Answers
• What if I forget my PIN?
• A replacement PIN can be issued

• Where can I get more information?
• Further details will be provided on the USAC web
  site

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Block 4

• Block 4 Bulk Upload
• Block 4 provides information that substantiates
  the applicant discount
• Three types of Block 4 forms
• For schools and school districts
• For libraries and library systems
• For consortia

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Block 4

• The Basics of Block 4
• One or more worksheets
• One worksheet for each set of entities receiving
  service. For example
• All 12 schools in school district request basic
  telephone service
• Five of the schools request shared Internet
  access
• Each separate funding request references the
  appropriate worksheet

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Block 4

• Block 4 Bulk Upload
• Bulk upload will allow Block 4 information to be
  created outside of the online Form 471, and then
  uploaded to USAC
• Expected availability at window opening

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Block 4

• Bulk Upload Process
• Build one or more Block 4 files.
• File specification to be provided on USAC web
  site
• Complete Blocks 1-3 of Form 471
• For Block 4, choose the Bulk Upload option
• Complete and submit the Form 471

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Block 4

• Bulk Upload Process
• Bulk Upload and other parts of Form 471 need not
  be completed in a single session
• E-mail is sent confirming receipt of the Bulk
  Upload file
• Or, if corrections are needed, an e-mail listing
  error messages will be sent

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Block 4

• Bulk Upload Error Messages
• Entity is not found in database.
• Discount must be numeric.
• Same Entities have different Discount percents.

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Block 4
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Block 4

• Questions and Answers
• Who should use the Bulk Upload process?
• The major benefit will be to large applicants and
  applicants such as consortia who have complex
  Block 4 information

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Block 4

• Questions and Answers
• How can I be sure that my uploaded Block 4
  information has been correctly received?
• You will receive a confirmation e-mail message
• In addition, you can return to your online Form
  471 and review the Block 4 information

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Block 4

• Questions and Answers
• What do I do if I see that some of my Block 4
  information is incorrect?
• You can individually edit Block 4 information (or
  any Form 471 information) prior to actual
  submission of the Form

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Online Item 21

• Online Item 21 Attachment
• Provides a consistent format for applicants
• Saves information as computer data
• Associated with the Eligible Products Database
  for Internal Connections

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Online Item 21

• Development Timeline
• 2004 prototype interface
• 2005 (now) full online system
• Future potential for additional computerized
  analysis

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Online Item 21

• Benefits
• Standardized format
• Online guidance
• Improved USAC review

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Online Item 21

• Benefits
• Particularly useful for smaller funding requests,
  such as Priority 1 basic services
• Most applications are fairly simple
• 74 of all applications are for telecom
• 66 of all applications are for less than 25,000
  (post commitment).

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Online Item 21

• Questions and Answers
• Can my service provider assist in preparation of
  the Item 21 Attachment?
• Yes, applicants are encouraged to work closely
  with their service providers

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Online Item 21

• Questions and Answers
• Will the online system allow me to include a copy
  of my contract or a copy of a recent bill?
• No, but you should be prepared to provide this
  information if requested

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Wrapup

• Questions / comments

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