{"id":34902,"date":"2023-07-12T01:10:51","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T01:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=34902"},"modified":"2023-07-19T18:48:27","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T18:48:27","slug":"additional-e-rate-modifications-coming-and-proposed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=34902","title":{"rendered":"FCC Proposes Cybersecurity Pilot & Welcome Changes to E-rate!"},"content":{"rendered":"

July 12, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n

Cybersecurity Pilot Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

This morning, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0her support for a 3-year, $200 million cybersecurity pilot program. \u00a0The initiative proposes \u201cto support cybersecurity and advanced firewall-related services for eligible K-12 schools and libraries\u201d; however, we don\u2019t yet know what specific equipment or services will be eligible for funding, or other implementation details.\u00a0 The pilot will be under the umbrella of the Universal Service Fund (and therefore administered by USAC), but separate from the E-Rate program.\u00a0 The next step is for the FCC to release a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to provide further details and seek public comment on\u00a0how a pilot program should be structured,\u00a0a process that typically takes several months.\u00a0 After that, FCC staff will review the comments, develop an Order, and seek approval from the full Commission.\u00a0 If approved, the pilot would begin sometime after that.\u00a0 Thus far, these are the only additional details that have been released.\u00a0 \u00a0As I learn more, I\u2019ll let you know.<\/p>\n

Wi-Fi on School Buses and Wi-Fi Hotspot Eligibility<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chairwoman Rosenworcel also announced a new initiative, \u201cLearn Without Limits,\u201d that will allow E-rate funding to support Wi-Fi on school buses and the purchase\/lending of Wi-Fi hotspots so that libraries, school libraries, and schools can check them out to patrons or students in need.\u00a0 The proposal would pick up the work of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), but under the rules, timeline and discounts of the E-rate program.\u00a0 No details have been announced related to this proposal, with the FCC just saying, \u201cthe proposed changes to the E-rate program will require a full vote of the Commission, and the text of the E-rate related items will be released upon their adoption.\u201d\u00a0 My guess is that they intend to seek this approval in the next few months and then include these items in the FY 2024 E-rate eligible services list.\u00a0 As I learn more, I\u2019ll let you know.<\/p>\n

Additional E-rate Modifications Coming and Proposed!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The FCC also announced that it would be considering an\u00a0Order<\/a>\u00a0at its July 20 meeting which would adopt new rules to enhance Tribal communities\u2019 access to the E-Rate program.\u00a0 Although the draft Order mainly focuses on issues that impact Tribal libraries (for which I won\u2019t provide details because they don\u2019t impact PA applicants), there are a few very welcome items that will impact both schools and libraries:<\/p>\n