Check out ByteSpeed’s 2023/2024 E-Rate Guide featuring tips for getting the most out of your funding.
THE LATEST E-RATE NEWS & UPDATES:
- The Form 471 window opens January 17 and closes March 27. The last day to file a Form 470 is 2/28/24.
- School Bus Wi-Fi service and equipment are both eligible for e-rate under Category 1. Eligibility includes hardware and service plans. Schools with rural designations are able to apply for multiple service contracts in order to ensure complete coverage of rural areas.
- The FCC extended the deadline for all first and second window ECF applications to June 30, 2023. Applicants who had voluntarily reduced commitments prior to the extension were directed to seek waivers to have the original funding commitment restored.
- It is recommended that applicants and Service Providers include a 10% contingency in all Internal Connections 471 applications as a Miscellaneous – Taxes and Fees. This should be initially requested on the Form 470.
- The FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding an E-Rate bidding Portal. An NPRM contains proposed changes to the Commission’s rules and seeks public comment on these proposals.
- There is also a move to make Cyber Security E-Rate eligible, but the time line and parameters are undefined.
