E-rate Commentary

Third ECF Filing Window Deadline Looms

The third Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) filing window opened April 28th and closes Friday, May 13th at 11:59pm EST. Eligible schools and libraries are urged to submit their requests as...

by John Harrington

Groups Unite in Concern Over E-rate Bidding Portal

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is facing a wave of backlash over its proposed federal E-rate bidding portal. Comments about the new system were submitted this week to the FCC,...

by Julie Fitzgerald

Amplifying for the Power of One

Education leaders, state education technology leaders, technology experts and business partners from across the country gathered this year in Nashville for CoSN 2022. CoSN is the Consortium for School Networking,...

by John Harrington

Current Events Demonstrate Importance of Internet Access

Watching Russia attack and invade Ukraine, I am astounded by the impact that instantaneous information is having on the war. Normal, everyday citizens from around the globe are sharing reports,...

by John Harrington

In 2014, FCC Said Not to Upload All E-rate Bids. Why Change Now?

The FCC has proposed a federal takeover of the local E-rate bidding process for internet access and Wi-Fi. The new rules would require all vendor proposals be submitted to USAC...

by John Harrington

February 25, 2022

Federal Agency Plans Takeover of Local Purchasing

At a time in history when online connections are more important than ever, government agencies should be empowering local leaders, not interfering with their decisions. Yet, a federal agency plans...

by John Harrington

January 14, 2022

FCC Aims to Nationalize K-12 Purchasing

The FCC is proposing a sweeping change to the E-rate funding program: nationalizing internet procurement for all K-12 schools and libraries who participate. This shift away from local autonomy for...

by Sheauna Brown

December 17, 2021

OKC Metro. Library Celebrates Over $5M in E-rate Funding Disbursements

Funds for Learning E-rate Guides took a trip to Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System to celebrate some of the milestones reached with the help of the E-rate program. In 1999,...