E-rate update

Citation

Fitzsimmons, E. (2000), "E-rate update", The Bottom Line, Vol. 13 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2000.17013bab.004

E-rate update

Keywords Telecommunications, Internet, Children, Federal government, Government departments

According to a 2 February news flash from the schools and libraries division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the SLD reported to the federal communications commission (FCC) that the estimate for the requested funding for schools and libraries seeking e-rate discounts for year three is $4.72 billion. This figure is more than the previous two years combined.

Of 36,000 applications filed within the application filing window, which closed 19 January 2000, nearly 80 per cent (over 28,000) were submitted electronically using USAC's SLD web site. Nearly 60 per cent of the applications are for the neediest schools and libraries, i.e. those qualifying for program discounts of 80 to 90 per cent. Schools and libraries qualifying for this level of discount represent populations where at least 50 per cent of the students are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. The demand in year three was calculated by reviewing the 36,000 applications, instead of a statistical representation based upon a sample of the total applications, as was done for years one and two.

In year one of the schools and libraries program, over 30,000 applications were filed for $2.04 billion in e-rate discounts, or $2.302 billion for the extended program period of 18 months. In year two, there were more than 32,000 applications, with the demand approximated at $2.4 billion. The FCC set the funding cap to the full $2.25 billion in year two.