What Is E-Rate?
E-Rate is a program that makes funding available to schools and libraries in the United States for the purpose of obtaining affordable telecommunications and Internet access. Specifically, E-Rate supports connectivity - the means for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet.
E-Rate, formally known as The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The program provides funding in four categories of service:
- Telecommunications services
- Internet access
- Internal connections
- Basic maintenance of Internal connections
The level of funding provided by the program depends on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served. Funding levels range from 20% to 90% of the costs of approved services.
Districts, schools, libraries, or consortiums applying for funding under the program, must provide additional resources such as end-user equipment (computers, telephones, etc.), software, professional development, and everything else that might be necessary to utilize the connectivity funded by E-Rate.
STC Is An E-Rate Leader
STC has been involved with E-Rate since 1999, and with a large percentage of our business tied to E-Rate, we continue to proactively address the changing eligibility and filing requirements.
Our Engineering and Project Management staff are trained and qualified to design and oversee installation of all E-Rate eligible solutions as well as integrating ancillary, non-E-Rate items.
