Announcements Archive

October 1, 2025

FY 2025 Eligible Service List Amended

Consistent with recent direction from the Commission, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released a Public Notice (DA 25-920) with an amended version of the funding year (FY) 2025 eligible services list (ESL).  This amended version of the FY 2025 ESL supersedes the prior version and reflects changes stemming from two items adopted by the Federal Communications Commission on September 30, 2025. The Hotspots Order on Reconsideration rescinded the rules related to Wi-Fi hotspots, making the equipment and associated wireless Internet services ineligible for E-Rate support in FY 2025.  Similarly, the 2025 School Bus Wi-Fi Declaratory Ruling found school bus Wi-Fi, or other similar access point technologies, including the equipment needed to provide such service, are ineligible for E-Rate support beginning in FY 2025.

FY 2026 Eligible Services List Public Notice

WCB also released a Public Notice (DA 25-921) on September 30, 2025 requesting comments on the proposed FY 2026 eligible services list (ESL). WCB proposes revisions on the classification of software-based services and licenses and seeks comments on managed internal broadband services (MIBS), basic maintenance of internal connections (BMIC), and the definitions of these services. Comments are due on or before October 15 and reply comments on or before October 30, 2025. 

September 24, 2025

FY2025 FCC Form 486 Deadline Reminder

Generally, October 28, 2025 is also the deadline to file an FY2025 FCC Form 486 if your FCDL is dated on or before July 1, 2025 and your service start date is July 1, 2025. If these conditions apply to you, please submit and certify your FCC Form 486 on or before this deadline.

If your FCC Form 486 appears to be late, we will send you an FCC Form 486 Urgent Reminder Letter to remind you that the FCC Form 486 is due. The service start date you reported on your FCC Form 471 is used to determine when the letter is sent, so if your service start date has changed, your deadline may have changed as well.

This reminder letter is posted to your EPC News feed and is emailed to the contact person on the FCC Form 471. You have 15 days after the date of the reminder letter to submit and certify your FCC Form 486 without penalty.

Applicants whose services started after July 1, 2025, or whose FCDLs are dated after July 1, 2025 (including any that have not yet been issued), will have an FCC Form 486 deadline later than October 28, 2025. However, we encourage you to submit and certify your FCC Form 486 as soon as possible after services start for FY2025 and if you can accurately make all the certifications on the form.

The FRN Invoice Deadline Tool provides the ability to search, view, and download invoice-related data including the FCC Form 486 status and deadline date. View the training video to learn more about this tool.

September 24, 2025

FY2024 Invoicing Deadline Reminders for Recurring Services

In most cases, October 28, 2025 is the deadline to file an invoice or to request an invoice deadline extension (IDE) for most Funding Year (FY) 2024 recurring services Funding Request Numbers (FRNs). This invoice filing deadline applies to both applicant and service provider invoices – the FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR Form)) and the FCC Form 474 (Service Provider Invoice (SPI) and (eSPI)), respectively.

How To Request an Invoice Filing Deadline Extension for FRNs From FY2016 and Forward
Both applicants and service providers can request an invoice filing deadline extension in the ERate Productivity Center (EPC) by following the steps below. Remember that there is no penalty for requesting an invoice filing deadline extension and not using it.

Applicants:

• On your invoicing landing page, click the link to the billed entity record (the name in the Welcome! link near the top of the page or the first entry under the My Entities section).
• Select the Related Actions menu and choose Invoice Deadline Date Extension Request.

Service Providers:

• From the Records tab at the top of any EPC page, click the Service Providers option.
• Use the Search function to locate your service provider record.
• Select the Related Actions menu and choose Invoice Deadline Date Extension Request.

You can use the E-Rate FRN Status Tool FY2016+ to find the invoicing filing deadline by searching for the FRN(s) and looking in the “Last Date to Invoice” column.

September 24, 2025

EPC Administrative Window Opens October 15, 2025

The EPC administrative window is the period during which applicants can make updates to their profile information including student counts, National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation rates, library square footage, and the entities and individuals associated with your entity including consulting firms, in EPC to prepare for the upcoming FY2026 FCC Form 471 application filing window. Applicants and service providers should also review EPC account permissions and make updates as needed (see article below). The administrative window will open Wednesday, October 15, 2025 and will close shortly before the FY2026 application filing window opens in early 2026. After this time, applicant profiles will be locked, and you will not be able to make changes to your profile information. FY2026 will be the first year of the FY2026-2030 Category Two (C2) budget cycle so applicants should update their student counts or library square footage as needed. The information in your EPC profile will be used to calculate a forecasted C2 budget for the FY2026-2030 cycle. Go to the EPC Administrative Window page for detailed information on updating entity profiles and join our October 21 Administrative Window webinar to learn more.

September 24, 2025

Fall Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program (T-LEAP) Kick-Off Training October 1, 2025

You are invited to the Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program (T-LEAP) fall kick-off and information session. T-LEAP provides one-on-one assistance to Tribal libraries, including eligible Tribal College and University (TCU) libraries, seeking to request E-Rate support. During the session we will provide an overview of the E-Rate program, describe T-LEAP’s requirements and application process, and hear from a guest presenter on how to assess and identify your library’s E-Rate equipment and service needs. There will be time for participants to ask questions—audience: Tribal library applicants, including TCU libraries. The teleconference will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 3 p.m. E.T. Register.