E-Rate
1st Thursday 2pm ET Join the Group
The purpose of the E-rate Policy Group is to support the underlying goals, administration, and implementation of the E-rate Program.
The Group additionally advocates for Program developments and advancements that reflect the evolving needs of E-rate applicants, stakeholders, and the communities they serve. Members exchange information with each other to develop areas of interest and advocacy.
The SHLB E-rate Policy Group aims to develop new and influence existing Federal policies that impact the E-rate Program. Group members engage with each other and with others in the field to develop the expertise required for SHLB to advocate for these policies (through filings, meetings with policymakers, etc.).
The SHLB E-rate Policy Group provides a forum to exchange information to educate members about the E-rate Program and the evolving needs of schools, libraries, and their communities.
December Meeting Summary
December 5 2024: Brian Stephens shared key insights from the 2024 Funds for Learning E-rate Trends Report, which found that 70% of E-rate applicants support the hotspot lending initiative.
Members also reviewed the timeline for the Supreme Court Consumers’ Research case, with briefs expected between January and March, oral arguments at the end of March, and a decision anticipated by June.
SHLB is tentatively planning a Capitol Hill fly-in on April 9-11 to advocate for the preservation of the Universal Service Fund.
Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are available to members here.
Focal areas of the group include:
- Track the implementation of FCC-related Orders to ensure the Program achieves its underlying goals. Examples include:
- Tribal Libraries program and E-rate Streamlining Order
- Wi-Fi on School Buses
- Advance policies that support:
- Cybersecurity funding (through the proposed pilot program and long-term E-rate solutions)
- Hotspots and other “to and through” measures to solve the Homework Gap/home connectivity
- Provide support for the continuation of policies in “jeopardy” (such as fighting against constitutional challenges to the USF and Wi-Fi on school buses).
- Ensure to provide an educational forum for members to track and understand E-rate Program-related topics. Examples include:
- Developments related to the USF
- Program compliance and audit-related procedures and issues
- Latest FCC & USAC program updates (i.e., Commission and Board meeting updates)
- November 5, 2024 - E-Rate - SHLB E-rate Hotspots FNPRM Reply Comments
- September 19, 2024- SHLB-OTI E-rate Hotspot Petition for Reconsideration
- August 27, 2024- SHLB_OTI_Benton Opposition to Molak Petition
- July 11, 2024- Ex Parte - Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program
- July 2, 2024- Ex Parte – Addressing the Homework Gap through the E-rate program
- June 13, 2024- SHLB and OTI Ex Parte
- May 31, 2024- SHLB Ex Parte - FCC Meetings_Cybersecurity Pilot Program
- May 29, 2024- Letter Re. Cyber Pilot Program Draft Report and Order
- May 16, 2024- SHLB and OTI Letter - Financial Safeguards for Anchor-Enabled Networks Under E-Rate
- May 13, 2024- School-Library Opposition to Eyes on the Board Act
- April 30, 2024- School-Library Opposition to Eyes on the Board Act
- April 15, 2024- SHLB-COSN-ALA Response to Heritage on Hot Spots
- March 27, 2024- SHLB Ex Parte - Hotspots NPRM - Rosenworcel
- March 22, 2024- SHLB Ex Parte - Hotspots NPRM - BVSD
- March 21, 2024- SHLB Ex Parte - Hotspots NPRM - East Moline
- February 8, 2024- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing E-Rate support for Wi-Fi hotspots for remote learning, Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program
- January 29, 2024- SHLB/CoSN Et al K-12 Cybersecurity Comments
- January 17, 2024- SHLB and OTI E-Rate Hotspots NPRM Comments
 May 2021FCC ORDER Establishing Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap |
Modernizing the E-rate Program for Schools and Libraries |
October 2014 SHLB RESEARCH A Model for Understanding the Cost to Connect Schools and Libraries with Fiber |
| July 2014 FCC ORDER Modernizing the E-rate Program for Schools and Libraries |
- Brian Stephens, Senior Compliance Analyst, Funds for Learning
- Jim Kerr, Principal, KB & Associates and E-Rate Profit Works
E-Rate Co-Chairs
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Rachel Botts
Director of Technology Transformation and Senior Account Manager Kellogg & Sovereign Consulting (860)214-3385Co-Chair -
Rogelio Zambrano
Director, Network Engineering & Cybersecurity Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) (562)922-6127Co-Chair -
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DC SBLN Reception
Join us on February 4, 2025 for a reception celebrating our state broadband leaders!
SHLB Congressional Fly-In
The SHLB Coalition is organizing a fly-in of SHLB members to support E-rate, the Rural Health Care program and the Universal Service Fund on April 9-11.
AnchorNets 2025
Join us October 29-31 in Arlington VA for our annual AnchorNets conference.