The recently published E-rate Modernization Order (aka E-rate 2.0) has a new funding target of 2 Billion dollars for Wi-Fi in FY2015 & FY2016. In additional to the sizable target amount, the FCC has also proposed several changes to how and what will be funded.
Last week, Aruba partnered with E-rate expert, Dan Rivera, to host an educational webinar on how school districts across the nation can maximize their funding with the upcoming E-rate 2.0 changes.
View the webinar slides and Q&A below. For a detailed explanation of the changes by Dan Rivera, check out the on-demand webinar.
Q&A FROM THE WEBINAR
Q: What are the priorities used for distribution of available funds? Is it first come first serve?
A: Category 1 is funded before Category 2. Within Category 2, the highest discount eligible districts are funded first and then work their way down.
Q: Please clarify dates of Category 2 installations.
A: The installation window for Category 2 installations for FY2015 is April 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016.
Q: Can upgrades to existing wireless equipment be considered for Category 2?
A: Yes, wireless upgrades are eligible. However, if the existing equipment was purchased with E-rate funds, you must adhere to the equipment transfer rule.
Equipment Transfer Rule: Beginning January 3, 2011, applicants can dispose of obsolete equipment for payment or other consideration, but no sooner than five years after the equipment is installed. (See Disposal or Trade-In of Equipment for further information.)
Applicants can transfer equipment in the following two situations, but in neither circumstance can equipment be transferred for money or anything of value:
- Three years after the date of purchase, equipment can be transferred to other eligible entities.
- Equipment can be transferred from a closed location to other eligible entities within three years of the date of purchase. USAC must be notified of these transfers.
Q: Is district office not eligible for both Category 1 and Category 2 funds?
A: A district office is considered a Non-Instructional Facility (NIF). Non-instructional facilities on school and library property are eligible to receive discounts on telecommunications and Internet access services (Category 1 services). The eligibility of Internal Connections (Category 2 services) provided to on-site non-instructional facilities continues to be limited by FCC rules as follows: support is not available for internal connections in non-instructional buildings of a school or school district or in separate administrative buildings of a library, unless those internal connections are essential for the effective transport of information to an instructional building of a school or to a non-administrative building of a library.
Q: Are charter and private schools eligible?
A: Yes.
Q: Can a district apply for the maximum amount that is eligible for the 5-year period and spend the money as needed within the 5-year window?
A: No. To be eligible for program support, eligible services must be received during a specific period of time related to the particular funding year for which discounts are requested. Recurring services must be delivered during the relevant funding year (July 1 through June 30). Non-recurring services must be delivered and installed between April 1 of the relevant funding year and September 30, following the June 30 close of that funding year.
Q: What is the best resource/weblink to find a list of eligible C2 products/product categories?
A: USAC has a dedicated E-rate Modernization page for all related resources: http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/modernization-order/default.aspx. For product eligibility in particular, please view the draft ESL (Eligible Services List) at https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-14-1130A1.pdf.
Q: If a district chooses managed wireless with a one-time capital expense in year-1 and a 5-year subscription expense over 5 years, is it possible to apply for the one-time capital expense in year-2 if funding was denied in year1?
A: Managed internal broadband service is a recurring service and services will only be funded one funding year at a time. For example in a five year contract, an applicant will apply for one year worth of service each funding year. Applicants will not be able to seek funding for all five years worth of service in a single year.
Q: Do the 28-day waiting period for 470's include weekends?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the projected 471 window?
A: The 471 application window typically opens in January and closes in March.
Q: Where can we find info on the new rules for discount surveys.
A: The E-rate Modernization Order, Section VI, Subsection B Para 230
Q: I see that Voice & Video components are removed from Category 2. Does that mean funding is going away for phone systems like VoIP?
A: Yes.
Have your own E-rate questions? Ask here >>