E-Rate
E-Rate is the single largest technology related funding available to Libraries and Schools focusing on the most urgent need—closing the Wi-Fi gap and level the playing field for education and learning. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made available $3.9 Billion to the E-Rate Program on an annual recurring basis. Reimbursements are based on the National School Lunch Program percentage and can be as high as 90 percent. E-Rate is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a not-for-profit administrator of the Universal Service Fund through the Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program with guidance from the FCC. FCC took major steps to modernize and streamline the E-rate program Click here to read more about E-rate Modernization.
Arizona State Library together with Arizona Department of Education is working with libraries and schools to make the most of the E-Rate dollars available to them. In addition to discounts that they are already eligible for over the next two years, FCC has provided up to 10% additional funding for Broadband buildout, provided it is matched by State funds. Arizona State Library and Arizona Dept. of Education worked with Corporation Commission to secure $8 Million for the next two years for Broadband build out to rural schools and libraries.If you wish to upgrade your bandwidth, please contact your State E-rate Administrator (select Mala from the category dropdown) for the procedures.
Arizona State Broadband STRATEGIC PLAN
Arizona State Broadband Initiative
Arizona Broadband Initiative – State Matching Funds
Arizona State Library together with Arizona Department of Education is working with libraries and schools to make the most of the E-Rate dollars available to them. In addition to discounts that they are already eligible for over the next two years, FCC has provided up to 10% additional funding for Broadband buildout, provided it is matched by State funds.
Impact of E-rate in Arizona
Since the program began in 1998, Arizona libraries have received more than $24 Million in E-rate reimbursements. Because of the reimbursements Libraries across Arizona have been able to upgrade their bandwidth, pay the recurring cost of internet access as well as upgrade wiring and internal connections. The increased bandwidth has enabled them to provide all kinds of programs, including job searching, GED testing, college prep, and code clubs. The extra bandwidth can also make it easier for patrons to access the internet with their own devices in the library.
Trainings and Presentations
Arizona State Master Contracts
Category Two
Category Two consists of Internal Connections, Managed Internal Broadband Services, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. The highest discount level for Category Two services will be 85 percent. Each school or library will have a five-year, pre-discount budget for those products and services.
Budget for a library = Total area of the library in square feet x $2.30. If library's total area is less than 4,000 square feet, the budget is set at $9,200. Libraries that serve populations of 250,000 or more are eligible for a $5.00 per square foot budget. Category Two budgets are subject to a five-year cycle beginning with the first funding year in which you receive Category Two support. However, the budgets can be used as needed and libraries are not required to use one-fifth of the budget each year.
Category 2: Three E-rate eligible Master Contracts are available through Mohave Educational Consortium Mohave Educational Services Cooperative Inc. The contracts to look for are with Netsian, End-to-End, and Logicalis. The three contracts numbers begin with “14S” and are valid through June 30, 2018.