New ECF Window Set to Open

The FCC announced a third application window in the Emergency Connectivity Fund to help schools and libraries in the upcoming school year. The third application window will open on April 28 and close on May 13. Learn more. 

This third round of applications to the Emergency Connectivity Fund, will pay for Internet access and laptops, tablets, cellular routers, and network connectivity services for students, teachers and library patrons whose needs remain unmet. 

• 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 same time period/same services from ECF Windows 1 & 2 {and other COVID relief funding}
• About $1 Billion in funding 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
• Highest discount rural applicants will receive priority for funding if demand is more than available funds

USAT helps dozens of school systems, like Leon County, obtain cellular connectivity devices and cloud-management platforms to help close the education gap every single year. Click the links below to access PDF files outline two of the most common types of projects we've helped schools deploy across their districts.

• Distance Learning Use Case
• School Bus WiFi Use Case

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.  The service period must be different from the months already paid utilizing 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.

• 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)
• Service Period overlap – 12 months from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023

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.

The full FCC announcement can be found on their website.

USAT LLC, a key part of the data solutions team at Mobile Communications America, serves our nations public education system by creating secure communication networks that pass data wirelessly between key systems — linking remote personnel and machine assets.

We have partnered with Cradlepoint, an industry leading manufacturer of top-of-the-line communications devices, management platforms, and accessories that meet the specific needs of our public education clients - helping bridge the digital divide with cellular devices for in-home, in-school, and in-vehicle use like school-bus Wi-Fi.