{"id":33205,"date":"2021-05-03T01:29:21","date_gmt":"2021-05-03T01:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=33205"},"modified":"2021-05-05T01:32:31","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T01:32:31","slug":"fcc-releases-draft-ecf-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=33205","title":{"rendered":"FCC Releases DRAFT ECF Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\">May 3, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n<p>On Friday, the FCC took the rare step of publishing a\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.fcc.gov%2Fpublic%2Fattachments%2FDOC-372069A1.pdf&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Ccfab6f649bf84916f1e408d90e59e6dd%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C1%7C637556601558063607%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=VVYQd2aCwI6yygf1BMSuMSK7Vfs6SMzd391u%2FPypEf8%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fdocs.fcc.gov%252Fpublic%252Fattachments%252FDOC-372069A1.pdf%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Ccfab6f649bf84916f1e408d90e59e6dd%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C1%257C637556601558063607%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DVVYQd2aCwI6yygf1BMSuMSK7Vfs6SMzd391u%252FPypEf8%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1620219624318000&amp;usg=AFQjCNF-r-EsYkv1C3bnZ4z1pNy3b0CW_A\"><strong>DRAFT<\/strong>\u00a0of their proposed rules<\/a><\/em>\u00a0implementing the new $7 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) that will provide funding directly to schools and libraries to connect students, staff and library patrons while they are not on school\/library campus.\u00a0 The FCC is giving the public until Wednesday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. EDT to provide final feedback on their draft.\u00a0 Final rules are expected to be issued on May 10.\u00a0\u00a0In order for me to provide instant feedback to the FCC in the next 2 days on some key issues, I am asking PA schools and libraries to answer a brief 8-question survey at:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2FECF_PA&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Ccfab6f649bf84916f1e408d90e59e6dd%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C1%7C637556601558073602%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=oHYwzh3Vd1ZsWJ9C7SW5eHB8LTQ1N3ieAyxi9BGB0uU%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.surveymonkey.com%252Fr%252FECF_PA%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Ccfab6f649bf84916f1e408d90e59e6dd%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C1%257C637556601558073602%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DoHYwzh3Vd1ZsWJ9C7SW5eHB8LTQ1N3ieAyxi9BGB0uU%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1620219624318000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFKiLbdQWHAvjZ6BSdSawY6N3Zg0g\">https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/ECF_PA<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0before noon tomorrow (Tuesday, May 4).<\/p>\n<p>Below is a brief summary of what the FCC is proposing, but please keep in mind\u00a0these have not been adopted and may change\u00a0by the time the final rules are released.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0After the FCC releases the final rules next week, I\u2019ll send a detailed summary to the listserve and schedule a webinar to answer everyone\u2019s questions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Draft ECF Order Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Funding Caps\/Prioritization:<\/strong>\u00a0 A $400 cap on laptops\/tablets and $250 cap on wi-fi devices.\u00a0 All other equipment\/services are proposed to be reimbursed at 100% (no funding caps or discount matrix applied). \u00a0Should demand exceed available funds in the first or second filing windows, applications will be prioritized based on the applicant\u2019s Category 1 E-rate discount.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Retroactivity<\/strong>:\u00a0 Reimbursements for eligible expenditures, not already paid for by pandemic-targeted federal, state or other funding source, will be reimbursed going back to July 1, 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Eligible Equipment:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers, including cellular air-cards.\u00a0 Smartphones are not eligible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Eligible Services:<\/strong>\u00a0 Generally,\u00a0DSL,\u00a0cable,\u00a0fiber,\u00a0fixed\u00a0wireless, satellite,\u00a0and\u00a0mobile\u00a0wireless.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Off-Campus Networks:<\/strong>\u00a0 Where applicants can prove there is no commercially available Internet access available, funding to build such networks is permitted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Competitive Bidding:<\/strong>\u00a0 No federal competitive bidding requirements for retroactive or future purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Filing Window:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Initial 45-day filing window for purchases made between July 1, 2020 \u2013 April 30, 2021.\u00a0 If funds remain, there will be a second filing window that will cover expenditures from May 1, 2021 \u2013 June 30, 2022.\u00a0 Applications will be submitted in the E-rate EPC portal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Payment Process:<\/strong>\u00a0 No vendor-discounted bills.\u00a0\u00a0Applicants will pay for services\/equipment and then submit reimbursement requests via the existing Form 472 (BEAR) system.\u00a0 Detailed vendor invoices will be required to be submitted.\u00a0 Also, applicants must be registered in the federal Sam.gov system to receive ECF reimbursements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Eligible Entities:<\/strong>\u00a0 Schools and libraries eligible for E-rate will be eligible for ECF funding.\u00a0 Entities do not need to be currently participating in E-rate to apply for ECF.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Eligible Locations:<\/strong>\u00a0 Any off-campus location where education is occurring (not just the home).\u00a0 Wireless service for school buses and bookmobiles is also eligible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Eligible Students\/Staff\/Library Patrons:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Those who otherwise do not or did not have Internet access off-campus.\u00a0 There is currently no income qualification to receive connected devices or Internet access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Duplicate Funding Prohibition:<\/strong>\u00a0 Applicants cannot seek ECF funding where equipment or services\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0purchased or reimbursed with\u00a0other\u00a0targeted (pandemic relief)\u00a0federal\u00a0funding,\u00a0targeted\u00a0state\u00a0funding,\u00a0other\u00a0external\u00a0sources\u00a0of\u00a0targeted\u00a0funding,\u00a0or\u00a0targeted\u00a0gifts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>D<\/strong><strong>etailed Inventory Record Keeping &#8211; Services:<\/strong>\u00a0 Applicants must\u00a0maintain\u00a0a\u00a0record\u00a0of\u00a0services\u00a0purchased\u00a0with ECF support which includes (some, but not all of this data will be requested on the ECF application):<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<ul>\n<li>type\u00a0of\u00a0service\u00a0provided\u00a0(i.e.,\u00a0DSL,\u00a0cable,\u00a0fiber,\u00a0fixed\u00a0wireless,\u00a0satellite,\u00a0mobile\u00a0wireless)<\/li>\n<li>broadband\u00a0plan\u00a0details,\u00a0including:\u00a0upload\u00a0and\u00a0download\u00a0speeds\u00a0and\u00a0monthly\u00a0data\u00a0cap<\/li>\n<li>the\u00a0name(s)\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0person(s)\u00a0to\u00a0whom\u00a0the\u00a0service\u00a0was\u00a0provided;\u00a0and\u00a0for\u00a0fixed\u00a0broadband\u00a0service<\/li>\n<li>the\u00a0service\u00a0address<\/li>\n<li>the\u00a0installation\u00a0date\u00a0of\u00a0service:<\/li>\n<li>the\u00a0last\u00a0date\u00a0of\u00a0service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>D<\/strong><strong>etailed Inventory Record Keeping &#8211; Equipment:<\/strong>\u00a0 Applicants must\u00a0maintain\u00a0a\u00a0record\u00a0of\u00a0equipment\u00a0purchased\u00a0with ECF support which includes (some, but not all of this data will be requested on the ECF application):<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<ul>\n<li>device type (i.e., laptop, tablet, mobile hotspot, modem\/router)<\/li>\n<li>equipment serial number<\/li>\n<li>name of the person to whom the device was provided<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you would like to submit brief comments to the FCC before Wednesday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. EDT, they can be submitted at:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcc.gov%2Fecfs%2Ffilings%2Fexpress&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Ccfab6f649bf84916f1e408d90e59e6dd%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C1%7C637556601558073602%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=dHTG%2BgY%2B2CDu0wJIMJ1JHsYIcjXD0whPlHPKB3MID3Q%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.fcc.gov%252Fecfs%252Ffilings%252Fexpress%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Ccfab6f649bf84916f1e408d90e59e6dd%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C1%257C637556601558073602%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DdHTG%252BgY%252B2CDu0wJIMJ1JHsYIcjXD0whPlHPKB3MID3Q%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1620219624319000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEwJHy3KGRCfVGeHqiQgo5pvhupNw\">https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/ecfs\/filings\/express<\/a>.\u00a0 Reference Proceeding 21-93.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212; Julie<\/p>\n<p>Julie Tritt Schell<\/p>\n<p>Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator<br \/>\n717-730-7133 &#8211; o<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:jtschell@comcast.net\">jtschell@comcast.net<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%3Dhttp-3A__www.e-2Dratepa.org_%26d%3DDwMFAg%26c%3DOiLvY2co1M-RscITtV9DJw%26r%3DS721QuK6ZpNiI61-26Eu9tfg5GvToARdCShpKHZ8oPM%26m%3DISsjVTkuPy4_JptpyLVbUK25xJ3_t8ZQWc2PVENWjWI%26s%3D9E1UJWoWopXxMjL1mCIc7ycH77NHsBOPCTwYpJeGiOw%26e%3D&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Ccfab6f649bf84916f1e408d90e59e6dd%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C1%7C637556601558083598%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=SN%2FZJHRyOQBZ41IGgGl2BP%2FYc8OfRr%2FUi3beNE3s%2Bl0%3D&amp;reserved=0\" 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href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?via=eratepenn\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-size=\"large\">Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>May 3, 2021<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-listserve_archive"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33205\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}