We offer comprehensive telecom consulting.
E-Rate and Emergency Connectivity Fund Consulting
We assist schools and districts, Pre-K and Head Start programs, and libraries to apply for the E-Rate program (both Categories One and Two).
E-Rate is designed to help schools and libraries improve access to high-speed Internet and wireless networking technology through reimbursements for these expenses. By making these expenses more affordable, E-Rate aims to close the digital divide and bring more equitable broadband access to all schools and libraries.
We leverage our extensive telecommunications backgrounds to ensure that clients are maximizing their funding to meet their needs, whether it be supporting digital-learning classrooms, online testing, or learning collaboration tools.
For California-based clients, we also complete the application process for the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF), which provides discounts to K-12 schools, libraries, community colleges, government-owned hospitals and health clinics, and community-based and healthcare organizations of up to 50% on eligible advanced telecommunications services.
HWC Consultants is a member of the E-Rate Management Professionals Association (E-mpa).
With the establishment of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), we assist schools and libraries with their applications. We plan to continue assisting clients with any additional upcoming rounds of funding, if available.
Telecom Optimization Audits
Whether you’re a small or large business, nonprofit, or anything in between, our auditing service helps clients to significantly reduce their telecom expenses for services such as cellular, landline, Voice Over IP (VoIP), Internet, and Wide Area Networks (WANs).
Our auditing services provides you with:
Telecommunications Inventory Reports (what services do you have and what are you paying for?): A comprehensive inventory report of your telecommunications systems.
Telecommunications Audit Reports (how are you using services and how can they improve?): Usage statistics to identify how to optimize existing services and eliminate unneeded ones, and recommendations for account-level changes to ensure that you’re meeting business requirements and receiving the best pricing possible.
Optimization (project managing your implementation of the recommendations): Project management services related to phone system migrations; new service implementations; legacy system removal, etc.
On average, our audits produce savings of 25% or more for our clients.
Telecom Assessments and Project Management
We manage technically complex telecom projects, both small and large, on behalf of our clients. Our process often looks like this:
Conducting assessments / needs analyses to identify technology solutions (i.e., VoIP, WANs, Wi-Fi, Internet, etc.) that are the right fit and within budget.
Creating Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that connect clients to the industry’s best service providers.
Reviewing bids and making recommendations according to our clients’ needs and requirements.
Overseeing project implementation from start to finish, including developing timelines and task lists, critical path reviews, and contingency plans for seamless delivery.
For phone service selection: project management services related to number porting; service provider integration; data network integration; installation; programming and placement; test, turn-up and acceptance; and cancellation with previous providers.
Contract Negotiation Service
We work with a wide range of telecommunications service providers to negotiate the best contract pricing and terms for our clients. We know what clients should be paying for services and how to best advocate for them. As independent and objective consultants, we are not compensated by any vendor, manufacturer, or service provider; our sole focus is to provide recommendations that are in the best interests of our clients.