E-rate News

by Cathy Cruzan

September 29, 2026

E-rate Bidding Portal Rules Are Now Official. Here Is What That Means for You.

The paperwork is done. On September 24, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau announced (DA 26-1030) that the Office of Management and Budget has approved the final pieces of the E-rate...

by Marissa Aldaco

September 22, 2026

Heads Up: E-rate’s Administrative Window Opens October 21

USAC announced the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) Administrative Window opens Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and it’ll close shortly before the FY2027 Form 471 filing window kicks off early next year. ...

Verlyne Jolley, CEMP

by Verlyne Jolley

September 22, 2026

A Rare Waiver Granted in E-rate Competitive Bidding Case

If your state’s procurement rules and E-rate’s competitive bidding rules seem to point in different directions, a new FCC decision has a clear answer: following your state’s rules doesn’t excuse...

by Funds For Learning

September 15, 2026

The Universal Service Fee Is Set to Rise October 1. Your E-rate Funding Is Not Affected.

The federal universal service charge on interstate telecom bills goes up October 1. The FCC has proposed a fourth quarter contribution factor of 42.0 percent, up from 38.8 percent in...

by Funds For Learning

September 14, 2026

Seven Debarred from E-rate: The Fraud Cases Are Now Closed

The FCC has barred seven people from E-rate and every other Universal Service Fund (USF) program for three years. All seven were convicted of or pleaded guilty to fraud involving...

Verlyne Jolley, CEMP

by Verlyne Jolley

September 2, 2026

Three Lessons from This Month’s FCC Appeal Decisions (Before You File Your Next Form 470 or 471)

The FCC’s latest round of E-rate appeal decisions, released September 1 (DA 26-868), reinforces three lessons that apply no matter what funding year you’re in: put your full case in...

by Funds For Learning

September 2, 2026

USAC Moves to SAM.gov Banking September 8. Check Your Form 498 This Week.

On September 8, USAC will begin sending all Universal Service Fund payments to the bank account tied to your SAM.gov registration. If you invoice using the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement...

Brian Stephens, CEMP

by Brian Stephens

September 1, 2026

Want to Weigh In on USAC’s Oversight Review? Comments Are Due September 30.

If you’ve been following the FCC’s review of how USAC runs the Universal Service Fund, here’s the update: the official notice was published in the Federal Register on August 31,...