[OPLINLIST] Third filing window for the Emergency Connectivity Fund: April 28 to May 13

[Christine Morris]

Greetings,

Late last week, the FCC announced a third filing window for ECF funds.  The
best summary we have right now is from Lorrie Germann, our state E-rate
consultant.  Please see the details below, and please let us know if you
have any questions.

Sincerely,

Christine
--
Christine Morris (she/her)
Digital Resources Manager
Ohio Public Library Information Network
christine at oplin.ohio.gov
614-728-5252


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Good Afternoon,

Yesterday 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, I 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.

Sincerely,

Lorrie

*Lorrie Germann*
State E-Rate Coordinator
On behalf of the Ohio Department of Education
lorrie.germann at education.ohio.gov
www.ohio-k12.help/erate
*Office:* 740-223-2420
*Cell:* 740-253-1153
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