District/School Administration PK-16 Program Support
Educational Technology

E-Rate

E-rate: Universal Service Discount Program for Schools and Libraries
As a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order on May 8, 1997, creating the E-rate program to ensure that schools and libraries have affordable access to advanced telecommunications services. Under the program, discounts ranging from 20% to 90% on Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, and Internal Connections are provided to eligible schools and libraries, subject to a $2.25 billion annual cap.

• The Universal Service Program is administered by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). This website will provide you with official E-rate guidance.

• FCC Registration Number The Federal Communications Commission requires all participants in the E-rate program to obtain an FCC Registration Number (FCC RN).

• E-rate Central is an organization dedicated to simplifying the E-rate Program for Schools, Libraries and Vendors. It provides clear and up-to-date guidance on the E-rate Program.

• Comm-PASS (Commonwealth's Procurement Access and Solicitation System) is the website for Massachusetts' statewide contracts issued by the Operational Services Division (OSD). The "Search for contracts" tool will help in guiding users to the appropriate products and services.

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education E-rate Workshop Presentations:
  • October 2005 PowerPoint
  • October 2004 PowerPoint
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