What is E-Rate?

— filed under: e-rate, universal service discounts

Information regarding the current funding year follow this link to year 2010 filing for E-rate

The Schools and Libraries program, also called the "E-Rate program," makes telephone and Internet access service more affordable for schools and libraries in America. Congress mandated in 1996 that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) use the federal Universal Service Fund to provide support to companies that give discounts to eligible schools and libraries.
Contributions from telecommunications companies provide discounts of 20-90% on the cost of telecommunications, Internet access, and network wiring within library and school buildings. The discounts are paid directly to the companies that provide libraries and schools with these services.
Libraries and schools in low-income urban communities and rural areas qualify for the highest discounts to assure that every American, regardless of age, income, or location, has access to the Internet.

Jay Peterson — Last modified Aug 26, 2010 01:07 PM