From E-rate Central’s newsletter dated May 30th, 2022:
The FCC reported $2.8 billion of demand in the third ECF window that closed May 13th.
The biggest outstanding question on ECF-3 is how many applications can be funded if, as it appears, there is not enough money left in the ECF program to meet all ECF-3 requests. If not, the FCC’s rules require the remaining funds to be prioritized based on modified discount matrix bands (from the March 28th newsletter), where RURAL applicants receive an additional 5% to their discount band.
To see the list of Idaho applicants that will most likely receive ECF-3 funding, click here:
The FCC originally indicated that a minimum of $1 billion was available to fund third window applications but recently increased that figure to an estimated $1.5 billion. [E-rate Central’s] estimate is that at least $2 billion will be available after all first and second window applications are funded.
To provide a sense of which ECF-3 applicants might or might not be funded, [E-rate Central] estimated the total demand in each priority discount band based on the discount rates of those applicants in their last E-rate funding applications. The results of [their] preliminary analysis are shown below.
Note that the largest segment of ECF-3 demand is in the 90% urban band. Based on the FCC’s current $1.5 billion estimate of available funds — which we believe to be conservative — USAC would be positioned to begin approving 95% rural and 90% urban — and maybe even 85% rural — applications immediately. Longer term, assuming that application approvals are to be granted in priority order, as available funding is definitively identified, we project that funding will become available for 80% urban applicants (and perhaps lower bands as well).
Questions or Concerns?
For questions or concerns, please contact Daniel Vogt: dvogt@sde.idaho.gov; (208) 332-6993; Click Here to Schedule An Appointment