Glossary of Terms
Use this E-Rate Glossary to find commonly-used program terms and definitions. Click the ‘Terms’ column heading to sort the table alphabetically or use the search bar to filter results.
Download the full E-Rate Glossary of Terms or view the comprehensive USAC Glossary.
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Terms
|
Program |
Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Area Network (WAN) | E-Rate |
A data* network that provides connections from within a school or library to other locations beyond the school or library. *The voice and video components of a WAN are not eligible for E-Rate discounts. |
| Whistleblower Alert | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
A hotline allowing members of the public to anonymously report suspected violations of universal service program rules to USAC. These reports can be made anonymously via the USAC Whistleblower Alert Form, by emailing WhistleblowerReports@usac.org, by calling (888) 203-8100, or by U.S. mail to: Attn: Fraud Risk Group |
| Wave | E-Rate |
A group of funding commitment notifications that USAC issues to E-Rate applicants and service providers on a given date. Waves are usually issued weekly. |
| Urban/Rural Status | E-Rate |
A designation for E-Rate program applicants based on U.S. Census data. Entities in areas defined as rural by the FCC are entitled to additional E-Rate program funding in certain circumstances. Visit the E-Rate program’s Urban/Rural Status page for additional details. |
| Universal Service Fund (USF) | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
Money collected from telecommunications companies and allocated to the objective of achieving universal service, per the 1996 Telecommunications Act. All interstate and international voice carriers operating in the U.S. must make contributions to the USF equal to a percentage of their interstate end-user revenues. The FCC updates this percentage, known as the contribution factor, quarterly. USAC’s role is to collect and disburse the USF. |
| Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
The independent not-for-profit organization designated by the FCC as the neutral, third-party administrator of the USF and its four programs. Collectively, the fund disbursed more than $8.5 billion in universal service support in 2024. |
| Universal Service | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
The principle that all people in the United States should have access to telecommunications (voice and internet) services at reasonable rates. The USF, and later USAC, were established by the FCC to achieve this objective. |
| Tribal Library E‑Rate Advocacy Program (T‑LEAP) | E-Rate, Tribal Nations |
A program to support Tribal E-Rate applicants in the E-Rate application process. T-LEAP matches participating public Tribal libraries and Tribal College and University libraries with their own Tribal Library Advocate (TLA) who provides one-on-one assistance in preparing E-Rate applications, applying to the program, invoicing, and performing other post-commitment processes. For more information about T-LEAP and to register, visit USAC’s T-LEAP page. |
| Telecommunications Carrier | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
See Common Carrier. |
| Telecommunications | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
The transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received. |
| State Replacement Contract | E-Rate |
A state master contract, filed pursuant to a state-filed FCC Form 470, which can replace an existing state master contract that expires before the end of the upcoming funding year. |
| State Master Contract (SMC) | E-Rate |
A contract that is competitively bid and that a state government implements which can be used by eligible entities within the state to procure equipment or services, or both. Visit the E-Rate program’s State Master Contracts page for additional detail about considering an SMC as a bid for service. |
| SPI – FCC Form 474 | E-Rate |
See FCC Form 474. |
| SPAC – FCC Form 473 | E-Rate |
See FCC Form 473. |
| Service Substitution | E-Rate, Rural Health Care |
A change in the equipment or services originally requested for an FRN. For additional detail on service substitutions in E-Rate, visit the program’s Service Substitutions page. |
| Service Start Date | E-Rate, Rural Health Care |
The date that services will commence for an FRN. USAC may adjust this date if it identifies a program violation or a missed deadline. |
| Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
See 498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). |
| Service Provider | E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers |
A telecommunications company that participates in at least one of the four universal service programs and provides voice or internet services, equipment, hardware, or software. Types of companies include but are not limited to: competitive access/competitive local exchange carriers (cellular, personal communications, or specialized mobile radio providers), incumbent local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, internet service providers, interconnected VoIP providers, local resellers (coaxial cable, non-traditional, operator, paging, messaging, payphone, prepaid card, private, and satellite service providers), shared-tenant service providers or building local exchange carriers, SMR (dispatch), toll resellers, or wireless data providers. |
| Service End Date | E-Rate, Rural Health Care |
The date that services will end for an FRN. Also referred to as Service Delivery Deadline, this date aligns with the end of the funding year (June 30) for which support is sought. USAC may adjust this date if it identifies a program violation or a missed deadline. |
| Selective Review Information Request (SRIR) | E-Rate |
A request for information sent to E-Rate applicants when they have been chosen for Selective Review. See also Selective Review. |
| Selective Review | E-Rate |
A component of the E-Rate program’s PIA review that follows up on certifications that applicants make on their FCC Forms 471 about the competitive bidding process and the necessary resources to make effective use of requested services. See also Program Integrity Assurance. |
| Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program (Pilot Program) | E-Rate |
A three-year, $200 million FCC program that will evaluate the effectiveness of using Universal Service funding to support cybersecurity services and equipment to protect school and library broadband networks and data. Open to schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries that meet the E-Rate program’s eligibility requirements, the Cybersecurity Pilot Program accepted applications in 2024 and announced the applicants selected to participate in early 2025. |
| School or Library Official | E-Rate |
A person who occupies a position of authority for an E-Rate applicant and is responsible for certifying that the information provided on the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. This role typically falls to a superintendent, principal, library director, or other administrator and cannot be assigned to a consultant. |
| Revised Funding Commitment Decision Letter (RFCDL) | E-Rate |
A letter USAC issues to E-Rate applicants and service providers when changes to a funding commitment occur, such as the result of an appeal. |
| Request for Proposal (RFP) | E-Rate, Rural Health Care |
A formal bidding document describing a project and/or requested services in sufficient detail so that potential bidders understand the scope, location, and any other requirements. In the E-Rate and RHC programs, applicants are required to submit an RFP with their universal service support applications under certain conditions. Visit the E-Rate program’s Competitive Bidding page for additional detail. |
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