Latest News: E-Rate

FCC Issues January 2026 Streamlined Decisions Impacting Universal Service Programs January 2, 2026, | DA 26-1 The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau released its January 2026 Streamlined Public Notice (DA 26-1) resolving numerous appeals, waiver requests, and petitions for reconsideration across the E-Rate (Schools and Libraries), Cybersecurity Pilot, Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), Rural Health Care, and Lifeline programs. The Bureau granted limited relief where applicants

The deadline to submit BEAR and SPI invoices for non-recurring services for FY2024 and prior funding years is fast approaching. The final deadline is Wednesday, January 28, 2026. This later deadline reflects the September 30 purchase and installation deadline for internal connections equipment, which extends invoicing beyond the recurring services deadline. Please review all remaining FRNs and confirm that invoices have been submitted or

If you haven’t started the 470/RFP competitive bidding process, make sure the following steps are in place. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the deadline to post your FCC Form 470 to the USAC website, or issue an RFP, and still complete all of these actions before the Form 471 Application Filing Window closes. Clarify your needs Decide on using an RFP Maintain compliant, open bidding Add

On December 19, 2025, the FCC released the order and denied Brooklyn Public Library’s two Applications for Review and affirms full recovery of its FY 2014 E-Rate funding after finding that the library failed to follow its own bid evaluation process and did not select the most cost-effective bid. The FCC determined that this error constituted a substantive competitive bidding violation—not a waivable clerical

On December 17, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the Funding Year (FY) 2026 E‑Rate Eligible Services List (ESL), outlining the products and services eligible for E‑Rate discounts in the upcoming funding cycle. The FY2026 ESL remains consistent with prior years, continuing the program’s focus on high‑speed connectivity and modern network infrastructure. Category One Services — Broadband internet access, data transmission, and leased lit and

E‑Rate Program Updates – December 2025 Highlights As we approach the start of the FY2026 application cycle, several important updates from USAC and the FCC will impact applicants and service providers. Below is a summary of key announcements from the December 18, 2025, E‑Rate News Brief. Update Your EPC Profile During the EPC Administrative Window before January 16, 2026. The EPC Administrative Window closes January 16, 2026.