From OPLIN

Last week the FCC announced that there will be a third filing window (“Window 3”) for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which pays for internet access and laptops/tablets/Chromebooks (“Connected Devices”) for students, teachers, and library patrons with an unmet need. “Unmet need” means that the student, teacher, or library patron does not have their own computer and internet service at home that can be used for remote learning.

Here are the Highlights:

Window opens April 28 and closes May 13
ECF will only pay for Internet/Connected Devices to support students, teachers, and library patrons with unmet need
18-month service period from July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023, BUT only can seek at most 12 months of funding
Prohibition against duplicate funding for the same time period/same services from ECF Windows 1 & 2 {and other COVID relief funding}
About $1 Billion in funding is available for Internet at home and Laptops/Tablets/Chromebooks (“Connected Devices”)
Window 1 and 2 combined demand for FY 2021-22 was $6.4 billion
Using the E-Rate discount percentage as a priority score, the highest discount rural applicants will receive first priority for funding if demand is more than available funds

As mentioned, the application filing window opens April 28 and closes May 13, 2022. Funding can be used to pay for connected devices and internet services during July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023 (18 months). However, you can request no more than 12 months of service costs for internet. And, the service period must be different from the months already paid for with Window 1 and 2 ECF funding. Windows 1 and 2 have a service period that ends June 30, 2023. Funding is available for up to 12 months and must end by June 30, 2023.

In summary, the funding periods per ECF filing window are:

Windows 1 and 2 – services from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023 (only 12 months of service funded)
Window 3 – services from July 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023 (only 12 months of service funded)

Applicants who previously filed and obtained approval for ECF funding in Windows 1 and 2 will need to explain that their new requests in Window 3 are not duplicative of Window 1 and 2 funding. This will have to be explained in the narrative of each funding request.

So, what does all this mean? I am still sorting that out and will post an updated message in early April and schedule several Zoom training webinars. Here are my preliminary take-aways and suggestions:

If you applied for internet service for students/teachers/patrons during Windows 1 and 2 -
- Figure out when the 12-month service period will end (depending on when the services are/were activated). Let’s call this “Window 1 and 2 service end date.”
  - Based on the Window 1 and 2 service end date, determine the number of remaining months through 12/31/2023 for which service is still needed.
  - If less than 12 months, apply for the number of remaining months of service costs.
  - If more than 12 months, you’re capped at asking for 12 months of additional funding.

If you did not apply during Window 1 and 2 for internet or connected devices -
- Did you buy these services and devices using other COVID relief money? If so, don’t apply for ECF because you’re not allowed to double dip with ECF and other COVID relief money.
- If you still need to buy these services/devices, figure out the unmet need and apply during Window 3.

Keep in mind that ECF demand was $6.4 billion for Windows 1 and 2. There is about $1 billion or so available for Window 3.
- If there is not enough money to fund all requests, rural applicants with a 90% E-Rate discount will be first in line to receive funding.
- Then urban 90% applicants are next in line.
- Then rural 80% applicants are third in line.
- Then urban 80% applicants are fourth in line. And so on…..

Again, Lorrie Germann will send out an update in early April as we get clarification from the FCC and schedule several Zoom training sessions to be held mid-April to cover program rules and the application process.