In July, the FCC voted to modernize theE-Rate program resulting in significant changes to the way technologies are prioritized and funded under the service. The revisions that are likely to have the largest impact on K-12 schools across the country are the phaseout of support for voice telecommunications and the funding cap on category two goods and services. Before we get into the details of these changes, it’s important to first understand how the E-Rate program works. Back to Basics The idea behind E-Rate, established in 1997, is that all schools and districts are eligible to receive assistance in the form of discounts on equipment and services that provide connectivity to the classroom. “Think of it as a rebate or a coupon that can only be applied to certain types of goods and services with a timeframe associated with that,” says John Harrington, CEO of Funds for Learning, a firm that provides E-Rate consulting services to schools. Read more…
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