What qualifies for E-rate?
In general, elementary schools, secondary schools, private schools, and religious schools are all eligible to receive discounts as long as they have an endowment less than $50 million and are not-for-profit.
What does E-Rate stand for?
universal service Schools and Libraries Program
E-Rate Program – Discounted Telecommunications Services The universal service Schools and Libraries Program, commonly known as “E-rate,” provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools and libraries in the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access.
What is the FCC E-rate program?
The schools and libraries universal service support program, commonly known as the E-rate program, helps schools and libraries to obtain affordable broadband. The E-rate program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the direction of the FCC.
What can e-rate funds be used for?
The Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program provides discounts to assist eligible schools and libraries to obtain affordable internet access and telecommunications services. The E-rate Program supports connectivity, which is the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services or the internet.
How do I become a erate vendor?
You will need to file an application for a Service Provider Identification Number, or SPIN. Once you are familiar with the program rules and have your SPIN, you can proceed to search Form 470s in your area and start bidding!
What products are eligible for erate?
These two service types include eligible products, such as access points, routers, switches, hubs, and wiring. Eligible products are located at the applicant site and must be necessary to transport information to classrooms or publicly accessible areas of a library.
How do I become an electronic rate vendor?
There is no pre-qualification or screening process required in order for companies to begin participating in the E-rate program. Officially, all a company needs to do is apply for a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) by submitting the FCC Form 498 — a process that is open to any company in the country.
What is a Form 470?
FCC Form 470 “Description of Services Requested and Certification Form” is the first form that must be filed by a school or library in the E-rate application process. The rules for determining the eligibility of existing and new contracts for E-rate purposes are quite precise and must be carefully followed.
How do I get my e-rate spin number?
To obtain a SPIN/498 ID, service providers must complete an FCC Form 498 (Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and General Contact Information Form) and submit it to USAC. This form collects contact, remittance, and payment information for service providers in all four programs administered by USAC.
What is an e-rate spin number?
A Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) is a unique nine-digit code assigned to service providers by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) after they have filed Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Form 498. It is also known as the service provider’s 498 ID.
What is E-Rate Category 2?
The second category of equipment and services eligible for E-rate support, Category Two, includes the internal connections needed for broadband connectivity within schools. Support is limited to the internal connections necessary to bring broadband into, and provide it throughout schools.
Is SMARTnet ERate eligible?
Cisco would like to ensure that our Customers are aware of these changes, including USAC’s recent statement indicating that Cisco SMARTnet is ineligible as E-Rate Basic Maintenance, and Cisco’s alternative Service Offerings, such as Cisco Base, are eligible.