2nd E-Rate Filing Window Opens Today-September 21

 Hello Everyone, 

As mentioned in my previous blog communication here, the FCC has opened a 2nd FY2020 E-Rate filing window to allow schools to seek additional funding to cover their unanticipated and increased demand for on-campus Category 1 connectivity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The dates are as follows: 

Window Open: September 21, 2020

Window Closes: October 16, 2020

Highlights: 

• Both Internet and WAN bandwidth can be included, but no Category 2 equipment/services.  Also, only on-campus connectivity is eligible.
• Services from July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 are eligible. 
• However, if you increased Internet bandwidth prior to July 1, those costs would not be eligible because they fall outside the FY 2020 funding year.
• File for the new total cost of the new bandwidth amount. 
• All services beyond the original Form 470 must be competitively rebid for FY2021. 
• The price per megabit must be the same or lower than the original cost.   

What must be included in the FRN Narrative: 

1. The original FY2020 471 and FRN numbers.
2. A statement confirming that the requested E-Rate discounts are for additional bandwidth needed as a result of COVID-19. 
3. Details explaining $/per Mbps on original and the new funding requests. 
1. Highlight any differences in pricing in order to facilitate review. 
4. Whether or not this new FRN is for increasing bandwidth on existing circuit or is installing a new circuit.  

For more details, please see my blog post or contact me to discuss. 

Thanks, 

Todd