The FCC has announced that there is sufficient E-Rate (or Schools & Libraries) funding for estimated demand for category one and category two requests for funding year 2018. On April 17, 2018, USAC submitted a demand estimate for the E-Rate program for funding year 2018. Category one services are those services needed to support broadband connectivity to schools and libraries, while category two services are those services needed for broadband connectivity within schools and libraries. Based on prior estimates, the total E-Rate demand for funding year 2018 will be $2.77 billion, which includes estimated demand for category one services of $2.025 billion and $745 million for category two services. In light of the current $4.06 billion funding cap and available carry forward funding of $1.2 billion unused from previous years, the Bureau indicates that there is sufficient funding to fully fund all category one and two funding requests.
