March 2004 Announcements

Please click on the topic below to view the most recent announcements:

Libraries that were not in compliance or that did not undertake actions to comply with the filtering provision of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) by the start of FY2003 may still receive discounts on Internet Access and Internal Connections commitments for services received from July 1, 2003 through August 14, 2003. (August 14 is the effective date of the FCC order FCC 03-188 implementing the Supreme Court’s decision on the applicability of CIPA’s requirements to libraries.) To request these discounts, libraries must file Form 486T together with a BEAR Form.

Although libraries requesting this reimbursement need not have been in compliance with the filtering provision of CIPA as codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h) during this 45-day period, they must have been in compliance with the provisions of CIPA as codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(l) by the start of services in FY2003. Under 47 U.S.C. § 254(l), a library receiving E-rate discounts for Internet Access and/or Internal Connections is required to have an Internet safety policy that addresses certain issues. There is also a public notice and hearing/meeting requirement.

For more information or to request a copy of Form 486T, please call the SLD Client Service Bureau at 1-888-203-8100.

On Wednesday, March 3, 2004, the SLD will issue letters for Wave 23 of Funding Year 2003 containing nearly $385 million in funding commitments. In past waves for FY2003, funding commitments have been made on approved Internal Connections requests only at the 85% discount level and above. With the unused funds from prior years rolled over into FY2003 as directed by the FCC in the Third Report and Order, the SLD has determined that approved Internal Connections requests for FY2003 can be funded down to the 70% discount level. Beginning with Wave 23, letters will include funding commitments for approved Internal Connections requests at 70% and above.

Applicants who receive funding commitments for non-recurring services in this and subsequent waves will have until September 30, 2005, for delivery and installation of those services.