The Universal Services Administrative Co. has added Wi-Fi Hotspots as a Newly Eligible E-rate  Equipment and Services. 

• On July 18, 2024, the FCC adopted a Report and Order ([FCC 24-76]) making Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile wireless Internet services for off-premises use eligible for E­Rate program support.
• This will allow eligible schools and libraries to start Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs so that their students, school staff, and library patrons with need can check out E-Rate­ supported Wi-Fi hotspots and services to engage in remote learning.
• Accordingly, the FCC adopted certain limitations, including funding caps per device/service and budgets entities, to ensure Wi-Fi hotspots are more effectively targeted to those with the greatest need.

• Wi-Fi hotspot: a device that is intended to provide Wi-Fi connectivity to a hotspot user as its sole function.

• Wi-Fi hotspot funding requests limited to fixed, three-year budget cycle. First cycle funding years (FY) 2025 - FY 2027.

• The budget is the maximum amount of pre-discount funding permitted for Wi-Fi hotspots and/or service over three funding years.

• Independent School or District Budget= [student count x (20 hotspots/100 students) x Cl discount rate] x$630

• Calculate Wi-Fi hotspot and service budgets by multiplying student count by 20% (i.e., 20 hotspots per 100 students) and multiply by the Cl discount rate. This number is rounded up to the nearest ten. The applicant then multiplies that rounded number by $630 to determine the three-year pre­discount budget.

• Applicants may not request more than 45% of its three-year budget in any one year.

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