Group of K-12 students studying on their school-issued tablets

Activate Digital Learning

The FCC’s E-Rate Program allows for eligible schools and libraries with funding from the Universal Service Fund to enhance digital learning and stay connected with telecommunications and information services affordably.

This program holds two categories for E-Rate funding. Category 1 Services include Broadband and Internet Access, whereas Category 2 Services cover internal networking infrastructure.

Cambium Networks provides internet connectivity solutions to schools and libraries that are eligible for either funding category.

E-rate can provide new infrastructure and technology for schools

Latest E-Rate Updates

E-Rate Funding Year 2023 represents the third year of the program since the FCC’s Report & Order announced in 2019 made significant updates to the program that became effective starting in 2021. E-Rate follows a 5-year budget cycle and here are some of the highlights in effect from that order:

  • All Category 2 budgets are renewed for funding starting year 2021
  • Category 2 budgets are fixed for 5 year periods
  • Budgets are based on the entire school district enrollment instead of a per school basis
  • The minimum funding floor is $25,000
  • The budget allocation per student is $167 for schools and $4.50 per square feet for libraries

Application Process

Step 1

Apply

Applicants must first have an Entity Number and an E-Rate Productivity Center Account

Step 2

Competitive Bidding

Submit Form 470 for Bid – 28-Day Wait Time

Step 3

Apply for Discounts

Submit Form 471 – Determine Invoice Method

Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review

Step 4

Services Start

Confirm to USAC that services have started and report CIPA with Form 486

Submit Form 498 for BEAR payments

Step 5

Invoicing

Reimbursement Requests are made in Form 472 (BEAR)

Receive BEAR Reimbursement

Eligible Products

Indoor and Outdoor Wi-Fi Access Points

XMS Cloud Management

cnMaestro Management

cnMatrix Enterprise Switches

Fixed Wireless for connecting buildings

We Strive To Bring Simplicity To E-Rate Program

View Our Resources:

Wi-Fi Designer Heat Map Tool

cnMaestro Cloud Management

XMS Cloud
Management

Contact a Specialist To Discuss Your School Connectivity Needs Today!

Primary Education Solutions

We offer right-sized network solutions tailored to the requirements of education.

Connecting Classrooms – Cambium Networks Success Stories

“The education system is moving toward cloud-based collaboration, so to maximize efficiency in the classroom, we knew that a reliable wireless network was imperative.”


Sharon Lunceford, Director of Information Technology, Houston County Board of Education

Case Studies

Houston County School System started a bring-your-own-device program without e-rate
Houston County BOE
Skaggs Catholic Center schools prepared for bring-your-own-device without an e-rate program
Wisconsin school district updated their Wi-Fi access system without e-rate funding
Wi-Fi Access for Education with E-Rate

Additional Resources

USAC’s Weekly News Brief

Partner E-Rate Resources

Partner Playbook

Visit the partner portal for all of your 2023 E-Rate needs.

Boost Your Business

Discover how to stand out from the crowd with Cambium Networks.

Value Profiler

Create a benefits analysis to determine the best Wi-Fi solution for your classroom.

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