News of the Week

E-Rate for FY 2022:

Wave 9 for FY 2022 was issued on Thursday, June 16th, for $86.2 million.  Cumulative commitments to date are $1.79 billion.  Nationwide, USAC has funded 87.3% of the FY 2022 applications representing 57.7% of the requested funding.

E-Rate for FY 2021:

There was no additional funding for FY 2021 last week.  As of Wave 57, commitments for FY 2021 stand at $2.64 billion.  Nationwide, USAC has funded 98.8% of the FY 2021 applications representing 95.8% of the requested funding.

ECF for 2021-2023:

There was no additional ECF funding last week.  As of the most recent ECF waves — Wave 16 for ECF-1 and ECF-2 applications and Wave 1 for ECF-3 applications — total commitments are $5.14 billion.  Nationwide, USAC has funded 63.6% of applications filed in all three ECF windows.  Authorized disbursements as of last Friday totaled $1.14 billion, a number unchanged from the previous three weeks.

Upcoming Dates:

Last Call for Funds For Learning’s 12th Annual E-Rate Survey:

As discussed in our newsletter of April 18th, we believe that Funds For Learning (“FFL”) has been performing a valuable public service for the entire E-rate community by conducting an in-depth annual survey to solicit the opinions and experiences of schools and libraries regarding the E-rate program.  These surveys have become an increasingly important source of information for Congress, the FCC, and USAC to help them evaluate the E-rate program.  A copy of the 2021 survey results, as provided to the FCC, is worth reviewing to understand the survey’s importance.

The 2022 survey period is ending this month and we are again urging those who have not yet done so to participate.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The 2022 survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/22erate.  The survey consists of 34 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.  We are confident in the integrity of FFL’s survey process and encourage you to participate.

Aside from a brief recounting of ECF funding from the previous week, discussed in more detail in our newsletter of June 13th,  USAC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Newsletter of June 14, 2022, does not contain any new information that was not included in previous ECF newsletters.