FCC Public Notice DA-25-53A1: Launching the Cybersecurity Pilot for Schools & Libraries
Released by the FCC on January 16, 2025, DA-25-53A1 officially announced the selection of 707 participants for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program (CPP), a new initiative funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF) to strengthen cybersecurity in educational and library settings. Scope & Participants The program brings together a diverse cohort of institutions: […]
2025 E-Rate Wi-Fi Hot Spots/Hot Spot Service
Starting with the 2025/2026 E-Rate funding year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), the FCC and USAC have made Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile wireless internet services eligible for E-Rate support for off-premise use. The final Order can be found here. Eligible Recipients: Wi-Fi hotspots are intended to be loaned to students, school staff, and […]
Supreme Court Affirms the Constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund in FCC v. Consumers’ Research
Introduction: Bridging the Digital Divide The Universal Service Fund (USF) plays a pivotal role in ensuring equitable telecommunications access across the United States. Especially targeting underserved rural areas, low-income households, schools, libraries, and rural healthcare providers. The USF was established under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and is managed by the FCC. This annual fund, […]
Updating E-Rate Category 2 Budgets
The FCC released a Public Notice on June 4, 2025, updating the E-Rate Category 2 multipliers and funding floors for the upcoming five-year cycle. The new E-Rate Category 2 budgets will begin with funding year 2026 and run through funding year 2030. You can read the whole Report and Order here, or you can see […]
2025 OSBA Capital Conference
This year’s 2025 Ohio Schools Boards Association Capital Conference will be held in Columbus, Ohio from November 16-18, 2025 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). If you’re planning to attend, please stop by our booth. We’d love to discuss E-Rate with you! The E-Rate program can potentially offer your school/district a 90% discount on […]
2025 Florida Charter School Conference
This year’s 2025 Florida Charter School Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida from October 14-16, 2025 at the Caribe Royale Orlando. If you’re planning to attend, please stop by our booth. We’d love to discuss E-Rate with you! The E-Rate program can potentially offer your school a 90% discount on your internet bills and […]
Funding Year 2025 Dates Announced
USAC recently announced that the Funding Year 2025 FCC Form 471 application filing window will open on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at noon ET and will close on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. All 2025 FCC Form 471 applications will need to be submitted and certified by Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 11:59 […]
Document Retention for E-Rate Compliance
All documents must be kept for 10 years from the last date to receive services. Documents to be retained include, but are not limited to: All FCC Forms and related documentation Communications with potential bidders Copies of winning and losing bids (including disqualified bids) The final bid evaluation matrix and any supporting documentation Contracts, if […]
Asset Management for E-Rate Compliance
All E-Rate purchased equipment must stay at the entity indicated on the 471 application for at least 3 years. If the entity moves, the equipment must go with them. Starting with the 2021/2022 E-Rate funding year, equipment no longer needs to stay at a specific school within a district or library branch within a library […]
Children’s Internet Protection Act
Every E-Rate applicant that participates in the E-Rate program must be CIPA compliant. If this is the first time your school or library is applying for E-Rate funding, you have 1 year from the start of your first funding year to become CIPA compliant. For those schools and libraries who have applied for E-Rate funding […]