A discount provided by the federal government and funded by telecommunications providers that helps to supply schools and libraries with telecommunications services.
(the Schools and Libraries program) provides subsidies, payable to providers of telecommunications products and services, so that schools, libraries, and health-care facilities, particularly in rural areas, pay much less than the going rate for eligible products and services.
A federally funded program to provide subsidies to schools and libraries in economically depressed and rural areas. Subsidies are used to help pay for the development of information technology-related services (including ISP subscription, the development of Local Area Networks, the provision of broadband connections, etc.) for qualified entities. E-rate subsidies are limited to use specifically for network connection and development needs (they cannot, for example, be used to purchase computers) and can provide between 20 and 90 percent of the total cost of obtaining such commercial services. E-rate subsidies are administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company.
A federal program that has as its goal that every classroom in America connected to the Internet by the end of 2000. It grants elementary and secondary schools, as well as libraries, a discount on carrier services, including not only Internet access but also a raft of other offerings.
The Universal Service Fund, or E-Rate was created as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to help eligible schools, libraries, and hospitals in the United States install modern telecommunication and information services. These services are most often interpreted as connection to the Internet. All K-12 schools and public libraries may apply for the funding and schools receive discounts of 20 to 90 percent according to the percentage of enrolled students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches and the funds available in a given year. The U.S. Department of Education provides an E-Rate Menu helpful for finding answers to common questions about the program. A detailed list of eligible services is available as a PDF file from the Universal Service Administrative Company. ()
Education rate” – The name commonly used to describe the Universal Service Fund for Schools and Libraries Program.
A telecommunications discount program for schools and libraries begun as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections are eligible for 20-90% discounts based on the free and reduced-price lunch rate of students within a school-or schools within a library district.
Federal Universal Service Fund providing telecommunications discounts to eligible schools and libraries.
Shorthand for the Universal Service Fund, a federal program that provides discounts on telecom and Internet services for libraries and education. Funded primarily through fees on local phone services. See www.sl.universalservice.org
The universal service fund, a discount telecom program from the US Government
Federal program providing discounts to eligible schools and libraries for access to telecommunications and information services, including basic local and long-distance phone services, Internet access services, and acquisition and installation of network equipment. The Universal Service Administrative Company's Schools and Libraries Division administers the E-Rate program for libraries.
E-Rate is the commonly used name for the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The program provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States (and U.S. territories) to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. It is one of four support programs funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services.