E-Rate Eligible Services List
The Eligible Services List (ESL) provides guidance on the eligibility of products and services under the E-Rate Program. Eligible schools and libraries may seek E-Rate support for eligible Category One telecommunications services (telecommunications and Internet access) and Category Two services (internal connections, basic maintenance, and managed internal broadband services). The ESL is reviewed each year by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a revised list is released. In this post, we will outline the categories of supported services and eligibility lists in the draft ESL for 2024.
Category One
The first category of supported services, Category One, includes the services needed to support broadband connectivity to schools and libraries. Eligible Category One services are listed in the entries for data transmission and/or Internet access. This category consists of the services that provide broadband to eligible locations, including data links that connect multiple points, services used to connect eligible locations to the Internet, and services that provide basic conduit access to the Internet.
Data transmission and/or Internet access services eligible in Category One:
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Broadband over Power Lines
Cable Modem
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
DS-1 (T-1), DS-3 (T-3), and Fractional T-1 or T-3
Ethernet
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) (Note: Dedicated voice channels on an ISDN circuit are no longer eligible)
Leased Lit Fiber
Leased Dark Fiber (including dark fiber indefeasible rights of use (IRUs) for a set term)
Self-Provisioned Broadband Networks (applicant owned and operated networks)
Frame Relay
Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
OC-1, OC-3, OC-12, OC-n
Federal Communications Commission DA 23-8195
Satellite
Switched Multimegabit Data Service
Telephone dial-up
Wireless (e.g., fixed wireless, microwave)
Category Two
The second category of equipment and services eligible for E-Rate support, Category Two, includes the internal connections (e.g., equipment) needed for broadband connectivity within schools and libraries. Support is limited to the internal connections necessary to bring broadband into, and provide it throughout, schools and libraries. These are broadband connections used for educational purposes within, between, or among instructional buildings that comprise a school campus or library branch, basic maintenance of these connections, as well as services that manage and operate owned or leased broadband internal connections (e.g., managed internal broadband services or managed Wi-Fi). Category Two support is subject to district or library system-wide budgets. Note that while Non-Instructional Facilities (NIFs) are eligible for Category One support, they are ineligible for Category Two support unless the applicant can prove that the NIF is integral to student learning.
The eligible components and services in Category Two:
Antennas, connectors, and related components used for internal broadband connections
Cabling
Caching
Firewall services and firewall components separate from basic firewall protection provided as a standard component of a vendor’s Internet access service
Racks
Routers
Switches
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)/battery backup
Access points used in a local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN) environment (such as wireless access points)
Wireless controller systems
Software supporting the components on this list used to distribute high-speed broadband throughout school buildings and libraries (applicants should request software in the same category as the associated service being obtained or installed)
Eligible Managed Internal Broadband Services
Services provided by a third party for the operation, management, and monitoring of eligible broadband internal connections are eligible managed internal broadband services (e.g., managed Wi-Fi).
E-Rate support is limited to eligible expenses or portions of expenses that directly support and are necessary for the broadband connectivity within schools and libraries. Eligible expenses include the management and operation of the LAN/WLAN, including installation, activation, and initial configuration of eligible components and on-site training on the use of eligible equipment.
In some eligible managed internal broadband services models, the third-party manager owns and installs the equipment and school and library applicants lease the equipment as part of the managed services contract. In other cases, the school or library may own the equipment, but have a third party manage the equipment for it.
Basic Maintenance of Eligible Broadband Internal Connections
E-Rate support is available for basic maintenance and technical support appropriate to maintain reliable operation when provided for eligible broadband internal connections.
The following basic maintenance services are eligible:
Repair and upkeep of eligible hardware
Wire and cable maintenance
Configuration changes
Basic technical support including online and telephone-based technical support
Software upgrades and patches including bug fixes and security patches
View the full FCC released draft of 2024 E-Rate Eligible Services List here.
For help with the ESL, applying for E-Rate, telecom optimization audits, or telecom project management, reach out to us at HWC Consultants!