Latest News: Alerts

USAC has announced a new requirement for Universal Service Fund (USF) invoicing that directly affects all E-Rate applicants and service providers using the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) method. Beginning in August 2026, USF payments will be issued using the banking information stored in SAM.gov, not the banking data currently on file in USAC’s legacy systems. To avoid delays or interruptions in BEAR reimbursements,

The June 1, 2026, streamlined Public Notice shows the Bureau mostly applying existing precedent on deadlines and documentation, while granting targeted relief where applicants showed special circumstances (illness, USAC error, prior red-light issues now cleared) and reinforcing a very strict view of timeliness in the Cybersecurity Pilot and ECF programs. Schools and Libraries (E‑Rate) The Bureau disposes of a large volume of E‑Rate requests,

On June 4, 2026, the FCC released an NPRM and FNPRM that asks broad questions about how the E-Rate program should evolve, but it does not propose eliminating the program. The proceeding is centered on educational use, student screen time and online safety, CIPA interpretation, consultant oversight, and several administrative updates. What the FCC Is Questioning – Has E-Rate Achieved Its Original Mission? The FCC notes