FCC Form 486 "Early Filing" Warning

Now that it’s August, applicants filing Form 486s for FY 2018 funding should carefully avoid checking the first — deceptively prominent — certification reading:

  

I know the pic is small and maybe hard to read. 

This certification has a very specific purpose but is no longer applicable at this stage of the E-rate cycle.  Checking the box after July is likely to delay the processing and approval of Form 486s.

Background:  As a general rule, Form 486s should not be filed until (a) funding has been approved, and (b) service has been started.  As a special exception, applicants funded early and seeking discounted billing for July can file Form 486s before services begin for that funding year if, and only if, they can certify that services will start by July 31^st.  That is the sole purpose of the “Early Filing” certification.  Checking this certification box in August will be treated as an error in EPC.

If there is questions please let me know.

Thanks,
Todd
tlawrence@sde.idaho.gov