On May 30, 2014, Cisco Systems submitted a detail cost model to the FCC in order to provide policymakers a better understanding of the costs of purchasing the necessary equipment for Wi-Fi infrastructure in schools. Cisco estimates that Wi-Fi “…networks for all of the nation’s classrooms will cost approximately $11.6 billion in equipment (with an expected useful life of 4-5 years) and $460 million per year in maintenance in each of the five years.” The analysis does not include other eligible internal connections, such voice over IP telephony systems or file servers, or estimates for library applicants.
The Cisco analysis can be viewed here.
