Lit Fiber Leads Latest E-rate Funding Requests

Right now the biggest area for category one funding requests in the E-rate program is for lit fiber — major bandwidth connectivity. That line item in applications for the 2016 funding year totals $1.3 billion in pre-discount dollars, a request that trounces every other type of category one service included on applications by at least a factor of five-to-one. Compare that to $256 million, which is the total of funding requested for telephony services and $86 million for wireless data services.

However, telephony shows up on more applications — 18,561 — compared to 14,823 for lit fiber data and 1,157 applications for wireless data. Cellular voice comes in third as far as the number of applicants requesting that kind of discount — 9,299 in total.

E-rate is a program run by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), to help public schools and libraries update their computing and telecommunications infrastructure by granting pre-approved discounts to schools and districts on equipment purchase and implementation.

The top item for category two dollars, which covers internal connectivity, is switches, which falls somewhere in the neighborhood of $700,000 in requests. Wi-Fi, which is just about at the $400 million mark, comes in second. Related components, cabling and installation, are third at under $200 million.

Those figures come from analysis done by Funds for Learning, a company that consults with school districts on their E-rate funding applications. The organization used data provided by USAC, which administers the E-rate program for the Federal Communications Commission.

Funds for Learning noted that the initial round of funding decisions arrived just 21 days after the filing window closed — making it "the fastest in the history of the E-rate program." That first funding wave includes more than $17.7 million in commitments for 2,251 approved applications.

"Internet connections for schools and libraries are essential, and the E-rate program exists to support this important mission," said Funds for Learning CEO, John Harrington, in a prepared statement. "The fast turn-around is a positive indication that funds will begin flowing and USAC will release applications quickly."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.