• Step-By-Step Guide
The E-rate program is a highly complex, deadline-sensitive application process which can offer schools and libraries substantial savings on their technology and telecommunications investments.

• E-Rate Application Flowchart 

• 2007, Year 10: Happy Birthday E-Rate!

The Form 471 application filing window for Funding Year 2007 will open at noon EST on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 and will close at 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, February 7, 2007. The filing window will be open for 86 days.

On October 19, the FCC issued Public Notice FCC 06-158 releasing the FY2007 Eligible Services List. The FCC waived the requirement that the Eligible Services List be published at least 60 days before the commencement of the filing window and authorized USAC to open the window on November 14, 2006.

Note that the FY2007 Eligible Services List has important new information regarding interconnected Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), redundant components, installation and configuration (training), KVM switches, fees for Universal Service administration, and wireless Internet.

Please review Public Notice FCC 06-158 and the FY2007 Eligible Services List carefully for expanded details.  Also, please check the USAC website for further details in the coming weeks.

• Telecommunications Act of 1996

• The Benton Foundation's Universal Service and Universal Access Virtual Library
A wealth of information regarding the policy behind the universal service and telecommunications deregulation.
The Benton Foundation's Telecommunications Act of 1996 Homepage
The Next Generation of Universal Service: Recommendations of the Joint Board on Universal Service