• If a district applies only for basic telephone service and does not have internet, then a technology plan is not required. If a district has Internet services, then it does not have basic service.
• For any service other than basic, a district must have a technology plan for E-rate services. There are 2 plan options: A county-approved E-rate plan or a state-approved technology plan.
• If a district writes a state-approved (EETT formula) technology plan, they must also complete a supplemental budget analysis that is kept on file locally. It is recommended that this analysis be revised yearly. This budget analysis form can be downloaded from the CTAP Region IV website: Erate Technology Plan Addendum
• Both the technology plan and the supplemental budget analysis must be completed before submitting E-rate form 470. The CDE recommends documenting completion through internal communication like email.
• The technology plan must be approved before receiving services or submitting form 486. The plan approval cycles left this year are December 1, 2006 and April 6, 2007

So what is the upshot? For E-rate funding in Year 10 (2007-2008), in order to submit form 470, the district or other entities applying for E-rate funds must have a technology plan, covering Year 10, using either option 1 or 2 mentioned above.

We recommend all districts consider revising as soon as possible the year before the plan expires. If you need help, contact your CTAP county specialist. For further questions about e-rate, please visit the USAC Schools and Libraries Divsion website.