Significant Changes
More funding for internal connections: Annual funding target of $1 billion for internal connections to support high-speed broadband within schools
Funding for all: Test new equitable approach to funding internal connections for applicants who seek support in funding years 2015 and 2016
Focus on Broadband: Reorient the E-rate program to support high-speed broadband by phasing out support for voice services and eliminating support for legacy services.
Categories of Service
Category 1 (Was Priority 1):
External connections to Internet and data telecom services. i.e. broadband data services
THINK: Connection TO the school
Category 2 (Was Priority 2):
$1 billion available each year
Schools are limited to $150 per student total request over a five year period
THINK: Connections WITHIN the school
Eligible Services: No Change
Category 1: External and building-to-building fiber connections, Internet.
Category 2: Internal
network routers and switches
WiFi access points and controllers
wired and wireless network managed services
Planning Year vs Funding year
Eligible Services - Change
•Funding for voice service reduced by 20% each year down to zero.
•Eliminated completely
e-mail services
web hosting
custom calling services
direct inward dialing
voice mail
directory services
900/976 call blocking
text messaging
inside wire maintenance plans
Additional Info
Preferred master contracts (Category 2) to be identified by USAC and must be considered in procurement
Low dollar request for business class Internet ($3600 or less/yr) exempt from competitive bidding
BEAR payments come directly from USAC
Document retention extended to 10 years
More info at: http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/modernization-order/default.aspx