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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 Cathy Benham

September 22, 2026

What USAC Discussed at Its First In-Person Training of the Year

A few of your E-rate Guides attended USAC’s first in-person training of the year in Phoenix last week. Here’s what USAC shared, including four things you can do now to...

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 Todd Lawrence

September 15, 2026

September 30 Is Coming: Two Steps Between You and Your FY2025 Category Two Funding

If you have Category Two equipment on a FY2025 funding request, September 30, 2026 is your date. That is the service delivery deadline for FY2025 non-recurring services. The equipment has...

Sean Lock, CEMP

September 14, 2026

FY2026 Funding Waves Continue Steady Progress

Funding Year 2026 commitments keep rolling out, though the overall pace is running behind last year. More than seven in ten funding requests now have a decision, so if yours...

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...

Dirk Schroeder, CEMP

by Dirk Schroeder

September 8, 2026

Procure in FY2027, Breathe Easier in FY2028

Uncertainty Around the New Portal You may have heard the buzz about the new competitive bidding portal set to arrive in Funding Year 2028 (FY2028). If your organization is gearing up...

by Audra Thayer

September 8, 2026

Most Cybersecurity Pilot Money Is Committed. Most of It Has Not Been Paid Out Yet.

Of the $129.5 million committed under the Cybersecurity Pilot, about $38.6 million has reached applicants as of September 1, 2026, and 337 of the 570 funded applicants have not yet...