When creating new Form 471 Applications in EPC, applicants now have three options, with the listed Service Types available, to choose from:
- Category 1
- Data Transmission and/or Internet Access
- Category 2
- Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections
- Internal Connections
- Managed Internal Broadband Services
- Off-Premises Category 1
- Wireless School Bus Services and Equipment
Wi-Fi Hotspots Services and Equipment
The recent updates have introduced two new service types: ‘Wireless School Bus Services and Equipment’ and ‘Wi-Fi Hotspots Services and Equipment.
Off-Premises Category 1 and Open Data
The additional Category of Service option is not reflected consistently in USAC’s Open Data record sets. In the ‘E-Rate Request for Discount on Services: FRN Status (FCC Form 471 and Related Information)’ record set, you will now find these two additional values in the ‘Service Type’ field.
However, in the ‘E-Rate Request for Discount on Services: Basic Information (FCC Form 471 and Related Information)’ record set, the ‘Categories of Service’ fields for the records of OFC1 Forms 471 are currently blank instead of showing ‘Category1’ or ‘Category2’ as other forms do.
Additionally, the ‘Demand by Category of Service and Service Type’ chart on the ‘E-Rate Window Reporting’ tool now shows ‘No Value’ as one of the categories.
As of January 20, 2025, there are currently 13 applications that this change is impacting.
