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Erate
Spin Number: 143025351
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E-RATE DISCOUNTS |
FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES |
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- The E-rate – or, more precisely, the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism – provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications
and Internet access.
- Three service categories are funded: Telecommunications Services,
Internet Access, and Internal Connections. Discounts range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible
services, depending on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served.
- Eligible
schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium.
- The E-rate supports connectivity – the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications
services and/or the Internet.
- The school or library is responsible for providing additional resources such
as the end-user equipment (computers, telephones, and the like), software, professional development, and
the other elements that are necessary to realize the objectives of that connectivity.
- The E-rate is one of four support mechanisms funded through a Universal Service fee charged to
companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services. The Universal
Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the Universal Service Fund at the direction of the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC); USAC’s Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) administers
the E-rate.
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