Schools and libraries around the country hoping to tap into the expanded pool of federal money now available for broadband and Wi-fi equipment and services can now submit their applications. The filing window for the E-rate program, overseen by the Federal Communications Commission and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, opened on January 14. Philip “Pip” Colvin, the program manager of external relations for the USAC, said it will behoove applicants to do their homework before filing this year. In addition to raising the E-rate’s annual spending cap to $3.9 billion, the FCC over the past year has approved big changes to the services that will be prioritized and supported. The new focus is on expanded broadband access and funds for internal Wi-fi networks. Support for “legacy” services, such as telephones and pagers, will be gradually phased out. Read more…
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