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Comprehensive Overview of the E-Rate Program

Discover the key aspects of the E-Rate Program as presented by Zeller and Associates, LLC. This informative presentation covers program eligibility, funding timelines, service categories, and recent changes aimed at enhancing broadband connectivity for schools and libraries. Learn how the Federal Communications Commission oversees the program and the role of the Universal Service Administrative Company in its administration. Gain insights into discounts available, application processes, and strategies for maximizing funding in the evolving technology landscape.

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Comprehensive Overview of the E-Rate Program

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  1. Zeller and Associates, LLC The e-RateProgram This presentation is available at www.zellerandassociates.com/erate Click on “Presentation: Joliet: May 7, 2014”

  2. Overview • Timelines • Changes • Help • Agenda • The e-Rate Program

  3. The e-Rate Program Overview

  4. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent U.S. government agency, established and oversees the E-rate program • Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a not-for-profit, administers the E-rate program along with three other programs • Schools and Libraries Program(SLD) is the part of USAC with responsibility for E-rate • E-rate Organization • Overview

  5. Congress directed the FCC to establish the E-rate program in 1996 • TheFCC sets rules and policies through orders • USAC and the Schools and Libraries Division develop procedures for specific actions, such as how to process applications • E-rate Rules • Overview

  6. Commitments for E-rate are made by the funding year (FY), which runs from July 1 through the following June 30 • USAC refers to the funding year as the year in which most services will begin, e.g., FY2014 is July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 • Funding Year • Overview

  7. The FCC has set the E-rate fund at $2.25 billion for each funding year. However, beginning in FY 2010, the cap is now adjusted for inflation each year • Once each year, FCC can roll over unused funds from previous funding years into the current funding year • Budget • Overview

  8. Who is eligible for E-rate funding? • Schools and school districts • Non-traditional facilities (conditionally by state) • Libraries and library systems • Consortia– groups of eligible entities that band together to aggregate demand and negotiate lower prices • Eligibility • Overview

  9. Discounts are 20-90 percent of eligible costs • Discount level for a school or library depends on: • Percentage of students who are eligible for National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in • (for a school) the school • (for a library) the school district in which the library is located • Urban or rural location of the school or library • Discounts • Overview

  10. Discount Matrix • Discount Matrix • Overview

  11. Priority 1 (P1): funded first • Telecommunications Services • Internet Access • Telecommunications (leased dark fiber) • Priority 2 (P2): funding starts with neediest applicants • Internal Connections • Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections • Categories of Service • Overview

  12. Category of ServicePriority One (P1)Funded First Phone Internet

  13. Category of ServicePriority Two (P2)funded beginning with neediest applicants X X X

  14. Process • Overview

  15. The e-Rate Program Timelines

  16. Timelines • Overview

  17. e-Rate Changes

  18. Estimate of Demand: FY 2013

  19. Estimate of Demand: FY 2014

  20. Within five years, connect 99 percent of America’s students to high speed wireless within their schools and libraries • at speeds no less than 100 Mbps • with a target of 1 Gbps. • Obama’s ConnectED Initiative • Changes

  21. Increase broadband connectivity • Improve the cost-effectiveness of e-Rate funds • Streamline the Program • Goals • Changes

  22. Decrease/end support for analog voice • Devise new methods of funding Internal Connections • Per student? • Tech Planning? • Increase broadband connectivity • Changes

  23. Consortia • Diocese? • ICN: sorta… • MiCTA • Cost-effectiveness of e-RateFunds • Changes

  24. Eliminate the 470??? • Streamlining the Program • Changes

  25. e-Rate Zeller and Associates, LLC

  26. We prepare the documents and file the forms • You inform us of changes and additions in advance • You provide us with the information we need • You make the decisions • You keep the records • Full Service • Zeller and Associates, LLC

  27. Group Filing Sessions • 470 in October • 471 in January • Guidance Documents • 486 • 472 (BEAR) • Available for questions • By “Form” Service • Zeller and Associates, LLC

  28. Phone: (888) 203-8100 Fax: (888) 276-8736 Website:www.usac.org/sl • With questions, please contact USAC! • Contacts

  29. Zeller and Associates, LLC • Gerry Zeller • V: 847.828.4606 • F: 847.729.5240 • E: gzeller@zellerandassociates.com • Zeller and Associates, LLC • Or

  30. Questions?

  31. Thank you!

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