Upcoming E-Rate Dates:
| April 22 |
Form 486 deadline for FY 2020 covering funding committed in Wave 35. More generally, the Form 486 deadline is 120 days from the FCDL date or the service start date (typically July 1st), whichever is later. Upcoming Form 486 deadlines are:
Wave 36 04/30/2021
Wave 37 05/07/2021
Wave 38 05/14/2021
Wave 39 05/21/2021
Wave 40 05/28/2021 |
| April 23 |
Deadline for filing reply comments on the FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund (“ECF”). E-Rate Central’s reply comments were filed Sunday indicating a broad consensus for funding caps in the initial application window. |
| April 27 |
FCC webinar on the Emergency Broadband Benefit (“EBB”) program for consumers and outreach partners. The webinar, scheduled the same week that we expect EBB benefits to begin, will provide an overview of the program, eligibility information, and enrollment procedures. |
| May 10 |
Legislative deadline for the FCC to promulgate regulations for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (“ECF”). |
Funds For Learning’s 11th Annual E-Rate Survey:
For the past decade, Funds For Learning (“FFL”) has been conducting a nationwide survey asking schools and libraries to contribute their opinions and experiences regarding the E-rate program. These surveys have become an increasing important source of information for Congress, the FCC, and USAC to help them evaluate the E-rate program. E-Rate Central believes that FFL’s survey is an extremely important vehicle, particularly for policymakers, to understand the needs of the E-rate community. A copy of the 2020 survey results, as provided to the FCC, is worth reviewing to understand the survey’s importance. We urge you to participate.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/21erate. The survey consists of 32 primary questions, plus 6 more optional demographic items. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
- Survey results are completely confidential. Only aggregate data is reported.
- Funds For Learning, which like E-Rate Central is an E-rate consultant, does not use survey responses as a marketing tool. Were we not confident in the integrity of FFL’s survey process, we would not be encouraging you to participate.
Last year, responses were received from approximately 10% of the E-rate applicant base. Given the importance of this survey to the entire E-rate community — applicants, service providers, administrators, and particularly policymakers — we would like to see even greater participation this year.