The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) has released the E-Rate program draft eligible services list (ESL) which shows what products or services will be eligible for a discount under the E-Rate program for funding year 2015. Comments on the ESL are due on or before September 3, 2014, and reply comments are due September 18, 2014. The funding year 2015 draft ESL begins the Bureau’s implementation of the reforms adopted by the FCC in the E-Rate Modernization Order. It includes the following fundamental changes: restructuring the ESL into “category one” and “category two” services; streamlining the list of eligible internal connections components to focus support on those services and components needed for broadband connectivity within schools and libraries; and eliminating outdated, legacy, and other services that do not provide broadband. The draft ESL is available here.
For additional information, please contact Tony Veach.
