Trumpet E-Rate

Trumpet Networks offers E-Rate Priority 1-eligible services to public and private schools, school district consortia, libraries and others within the federal government’s Schools and Libraries Program and their consultants, commonly referred to as “E-Rate.” Our focus is to work with eligible participants to provide Priority 1 high-speed, building-to-building Wide Area Network (“WAN”) connections, Internet connections, and Voice over IP (“VoIP”) phone services.

If you are unfamiliar with the Priority 1 funding process or requirements, we are happy to provide information. We do everything that we can, within the boundaries of the E-Rate regulations, to help make the E-Rate application process as headache-free as possible. If your school or library is not receiving E-Rate funding, let us provide information that you may want to consider when applying.

What is E-Rate?

E-Rate is funded through the Universal Service Fund (“USF”). The USF was established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, federal legislation designed in part to promote Internet use. The USF is funded by mandatory contributions from telecommunications carriers. The Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) administers the USF on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission. USAC distributes USF funds under four programs, including the Schools and Libraries Program (“SLP”).

The SLP provides “discounts,” in the form of federal reimbursement, to schools and libraries within the United States and its territories. The SPL discounts apply to a broad selection of technology-related services and equipment.  (Please download our Education brochure and E-Rate Consulting data sheet for more information.)

Eligibility for E-Rate Funding

Once you have determined that your school or library is eligible for E-Rate funding, there are ten key steps in the ap­plication and discount recovery process. Please contact us for a special report on the ten key steps mentioned above.

There are two categories of SLP discounts:

Priority 1 discounts apply to specific Internet- and telephone-related services. Trumpet’s building-to-building WAN connectivity, Internet and hosted VoIP services are eligible to receive Priority 1 discounts. Since the SLP’s inception in the mid-1990s, 100% of proper Priority 1 funding requests have received funding.

The SLP’s Priority 2 discounts apply to Local Area Network-related and other equipment and services. The USF does not receive enough money each year to fund all Priority 2 discount requests. Indeed, during the five most recent years, on average school districts with fewer than 80% of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program did not receive Priority 2 funding. The standard for 2009-10 was was 87% and for 2010-11, 80%. We can provide input or assistance with regard to each of these steps.

If you would like to discuss E-Rate funding please give us a call or . We look forward to hearing from you!