On May 1, 2018, the FCC advised USAC on how to treat inconsistencies between E-rate applicant’s FCC Forms 470 and 471. Specifically, the FCC directed USAC not to issue denials solely because the applicant selected “Internet Access and Transport Bundled” or “Transport Only—No ISP service” on the FCC Form 470 when seeking bids, and then selected a fiber service on the FCC Form 471 when selecting a provider.  

In August 2017, USAC implemented “simplified drop-down options” in the online E-rate Productivity Center. USAC provided guidance on how to use the options; however, stakeholders expressed concerns that these options generated confusion for many applicants because the drop-down menu option for the form 470 did not match the services selected on the applicants’ FCC Form 471. Applicants understandably worried that choosing the wrong option would create a discrepancy that would result in a denial of their FY2018 applications.