Telecom Act at 30: Universal Service as the North Star Benton Institute for Broadband & Society - March 5, 2026

FULL RECAP - Telecom Act at 30: Universal Service as the North Star - Benton Institute for Broadband & Society w/ @gbsohn.bsky.social @edmarkey.bsky.social #TelecomAct #UniversalService #Broadband #DigitalDivide #ERate #USF #NetNeutrality #AI open.substack.com/pub/isoclive...

ALA Files Amicus Brief in Defense of E-Rate Program. The American Library Association filed a brief today in a court case addressing the constitutionality of the federal E-Rate program, a critical source of funding for broadband in libraries... (swipe for more). Show up for our Libraries, ALA 150, American Library Association.

This case comes on the heels of losses by these plaintiffs in the 5th, 6th, and 11th Circuit Courts, as well as a ruling last year by the Supreme Court which upheld the constitutionality of the E-Rate program’s funding. The plaintiffs brought the issue to the courts once again. But we’re not going away.

"E-Rate has been a quiet powerhouse in helping libraries connect people to opportunity for nearly 30 years. Even today, broadband may be wider spread, but it is not affordable for everyone. Millions still rely on libraries and schools as their only reliable connection to the internet. There is no substitute for E-Rate. Without it, communities lose access to the tools that make modern life possible—homework, job applications, telehealth, tax filing. This isn’t theoretical. It’s immediate, and it’s personal...” - ALA President Sam Helmick

New: ALA filed a brief today in a court case regarding the constitutionality of the #ERate program, an essential source of funding for broadband in libraries & schools.

We have seen this challenge before, but we're not going away.

More about our brief and the case: www.ala.org/news/2026/03...

ALA staff Emily Durkin and Megan Janicki, posing with Angela Goodrich of the Urban Libraries Council in front of the US Capitol.

Selfie by ALA staff Megan Janicki with Christine Morris of the Ohio Public Library Information Network and the ALA E-Rate Task Force, in front of the US Capitol

Each year, ALA staff join our partners with the Schools Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) to advocate on Capitol Hill! We were proud to join them again this year to urge Congress to prioritize programs like #ERate that help Americans get online and thrive! #ForOurLibraries

At 30, E-Rate is a proven success. Let's keep improving it. Sam Helmick in The Hill.

We're celebrating ALA's 150th Anniversary all year - but we're ALSO celebrating 30 years of #ERate!

As ALA Pres. Sam Helmick said in a recent article for The Hill, "The E-Rate program provides broadband that entire communities rely on."

Read more ALA's E-Rate advocacy: thehill.com/opinion/tech...

📣 New E-Rate Broadband News Flash is here. Key updates & deadlines for schools.
Read more: drive.google.com/file/d/1d8VM...

Questions? eratequestions@lists.k12hsn.org
#ERate #K12Technology #k12hsn

At 30, E-Rate is a proven success. Let's keep improving it. Sam Helmick in The Hill. [A photo of patrons and staff at San Diego Public Library]

As ALA President Sam Helmick said last week in The Hill, "we should celebrate E-Rate for what it is: a quiet powerhouse that has given nearly every American access to high-speed internet through public libraries and schools."

Read more from President Helmick on #ERate: thehill.com/opinion/tech...

E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: Question & Answer (Q&A) Session February 19, 2026 On Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 2 pm to 3 p.m. ET, the E-Rate subject matter experts will answer questions about the competitive bidding process, Category Two budgets, and the Eligible Services List. Register. This is recommended for applicants and service providers of all E-Rate experience levels. February 25, 2026 FY2024 Invoicing Deadline for Recurring Services Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices or ask for an invoice deadline extension by February 25, 2026 for FY2024 recurring services, if the applicant or service provider requested and received an invoice deadline extension of the original October 28, 2025 invoice deadline. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices by this date, as USAC cannot grant a second invoice deadline extension. March 4, 2026 Last Day to File the FY2026 FCC Form 470 Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the last day that you can submit and certify an FY 2026 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period.

Is your library applying for #ERate discounts this year? Deadline are approaching, don't miss out on this year's process!

Have questions? Join USAC's upcoming Pre-Commitment Process Q&A webinar TOMORROW, 2/19: register.gotowebinar.com/register/166...

More key dates: www.usac.org/e-rate/resou...

Markey Celebrates 30 Years of E-Rate Program That Keeps Communities Connected Markey Celebrates 30 Years of E-Rate Program That Keeps Communities Connected

Thank you @markey.senate.gov for celebrating the anniversary of the Universal Service Fund and #ERate!

ALA was proud to work alongside Senator Markey to help enact and eventually modernize ERate, and we're grateful for his continued support for digital access!
www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-r...

E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: Question & Answer (Q&A) Session February 19, 2026 On Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 2 pm to 3 p.m. ET, the E-Rate subject matter experts will answer questions about the competitive bidding process, Category Two budgets, and the Eligible Services List. Register. This is recommended for applicants and service providers of all E-Rate experience levels. February 25, 2026 FY2024 Invoicing Deadline for Recurring Services Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices or ask for an invoice deadline extension by February 25, 2026 for FY2024 recurring services, if the applicant or service provider requested and received an invoice deadline extension of the original October 28, 2025 invoice deadline. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices by this date, as USAC cannot grant a second invoice deadline extension. March 4, 2026 Last Day to File the FY2026 FCC Form 470 Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the last day that you can submit and certify an FY 2026 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period.

Is your library applying for #ERate discounts this year? Deadline are approaching, don't miss out on this year's process!

Have questions? Join USAC's upcoming Pre-Commitment Process Q&A webinar! Register: register.gotowebinar.com/register/166...

More key dates: www.usac.org/e-rate/resou...

Lead your district’s E-Rate strategy with confidence.
The E-Rate News Flash provides monthly deadline reminders, policy updates, and compliance tips—built for school and district leaders.

Never miss an update 👉 www.k12hsn.org/e-rate-suppo...
#erate #k12hsn #k12

The Law That Built the Internet at 30 — The Blue Owl Group The Law That Built the Internet at 30

Can the U.S. Congress do for AI policy🤖 what it did for the early Internet?

Shared my reflections on the 30th anniversary of the law that built the Internet here👇

www.blueowlgrp.com/latest/the-l... #Section230 #ERATE #CDA230

Erate webinar announcement

USAC application review coming up? Join us Wednesday at noon for our webinar: Responding to USAC Application Review. Register now & join us live!

icoe.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#USAC #ERate #K12HSN #K12

Erate Webinar Announcement

USAC application review coming up? Join us Wednesday at noon for our webinar: Responding to USAC Application Review. Register now & join us live!

icoe.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#USAC #ERate #Libraries

E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: Question & Answer (Q&A) Session February 19, 2026 On Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 2 pm to 3 p.m. ET, the E-Rate subject matter experts will answer questions about the competitive bidding process, Category Two budgets, and the Eligible Services List. Register. This is recommended for applicants and service providers of all E-Rate experience levels. February 25, 2026 FY2024 Invoicing Deadline for Recurring Services Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices or ask for an invoice deadline extension by February 25, 2026 for FY2024 recurring services, if the applicant or service provider requested and received an invoice deadline extension of the original October 28, 2025 invoice deadline. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices by this date, as USAC cannot grant a second invoice deadline extension. March 4, 2026 Last Day to File the FY2026 FCC Form 470 Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the last day that you can submit and certify an FY 2026 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period.

Is your library applying for #ERate discounts this year? Don't forget to keep track of upcoming deadlines!

Have questions? Join USAC's upcoming Pre-Commitment Process Q&A webinar! Register: register.gotowebinar.com#register/166...

More key dates: www.usac.org/e-rate/resou...

Ted Cruz Pats Himself On The Back At Senate Hearing For Screwing Over Rural School Children Ted Cruz last week chaired a Senate hearing dubbed “Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of Technology on America’s Youth.” The hearing spent a lot of time doubling down on the scary-sounding, often-baseless stories lawmakers tell themselves as they push terrible laws like KOSMA to “protect the children” from a completely unproven link between social media […]

Pictured, from left, ALA's Emily Durkin, ALA's Megan Janicki, ALA's Lisa Varga, Senator Ed Markey, ALA executive director Dan Montgomery, ALA's Shawnda Hines, and ALA's Kevin Maher, pictured in Senator Markey's office on Capitol Hill.

And thank you @markey.senate.gov for spending time today with the ALA team & our executive director Dan Montgomery on Capitol Hill!

As one of the legislators who designed the #ERate program, Sen Markey has shown up for libraries time & again. We're grateful for your steadfast support for libraries!

Join the CPUC on Jan. 13 for a free webinar on Mobile Broadband Services, CTF, and E-Rate. Learn how to support students who lack home internet.
Register: www.cpuc.ca.gov/events-and-meetings/info...

#Broadband #DigitalEquity #CTF #ERate #Education

images of current customers MDU 328 Bank Street Harwich MA,Cape Cod Regional Technical School Harwich MA, Cape Cod YMCA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Words - Monthly update on OpenCape’s new connections, funding and broadband impact Subscribe today opencape.org/newsletter-fc

Want a quick, monthly look at what’s happening in regional broadband? OpenCape’s newsletter covers fiber builds, new connections, and the funding programs shaping our infrastructure's future.
📬 Subscribe: opencape.org/newsletter-fc
#OpenCape #RhodeIsland #CapeCod #ERATE #Broadband

When the hotspots go dark, who connects the unconnected? "We're really thinking about the broad spectrum of American life and how the lack of connectivity infrastructurally has been devastating," Sam Helmick said.

The FCC's recent removal of #ERate discounts for library & school hotspot lending is a step backwards. ALA President Sam Helmick: "Having digital connection is going to allow us to not only thrive civically but economically, educationally, & socially." More: federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2...

E-Rate Hotspot lending FAQ. ALA American Library Association.

Recent changes by the FCC to the #ERate program have rolled back discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending in libraries. Looking for more details on what this means at your library? We have an FAQ to help: www.ala.org/advocacy/fed...

Learn more about ALA's broadband advocacy: www.ala.org/advocacy/fed...

From left: ALA's Lisa Varga; ALA's Megan Janicki; Christine Morris of the Ohio Public Library Information Network; and Lauren Abner of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Megan Janicki, Christine Morris, and Lauren Abner presenting a panel discussion in a conference room. A screen reads: "Impact of Federal Dollars on Library Connectivity"

Thank you again to the Schools Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition for having ALA at #AnchorNets2025!

ALA's Megan Janicki spoke on today's panel focusing on the impact of federal dollars on library connectivity and the importance of #ERate discounts for communities nationwide.

Nonprofit offers alternative funding for school, library Wi-Fi programs Mission Telecom said it would match any discounts those institutions received under the FCC’s E-Rate program for loaning out Wi-Fi hotspots and providing service on school buses.

OPPORTUNITY: After rollbacks to #ERate funding for Wi-Fi hotspots, many libraries have new gaps in their budgets.

@missiontelecom.bsky.social is offering to help bridge the gaps for libraries & schools that received approval only to see it taken away. Learn more: www.route-fifty.com/digital-gove...

E-Rate Hotspot lending FAQ

Does your library have questions about the recent repeal of #ERate discounts for Wi-Fi hotspots? We have a new FAQ to help. Learn more about what this means for your library: www.ala.org/advocacy/fed...

Explore our other digital equity policy and advocacy tools: www.ala.org/advocacy/fed...

Wi-Fi Hot Spot Lending Program Scrapped, Leaving Libraries Scrambling - EdSurge News Federal funding that helped rural and urban communities more easily access Wi-Fi has been cut, leaving libraries scrambling for alternatives.

In libraries across the country, leaders are scrambling to make up for budget shortfalls after the FCC rolled back #ERate discounts for Wi-Fi hotspots. These discounts were poised to make a huge difference in community connectivity: www.edsurge.com/news/2025-10...

Learn more: ala.org/advocacy/erate

Don't miss our FAQ on the rollback of #ERate Wi-Fi hotspot lending discounts for libraries. Need more details? We've got you covered ⤵️

E-Rate Hotspot funding FAQ

NEW: Does your library have questions about the recent repeal of #ERate discounts for Wi-Fi hotspots? We have a new FAQ to help. Learn more about what this means for your library: www.ala.org/advocacy/fed...

Explore our other digital equity policy and advocacy tools: www.ala.org/advocacy/fed...

Mission Telecom Matches FCC E-Rate Cuts to Safeguard Affordable Wi-Fi for Schools & Libraries - Mission Telecom Mission Telecom pledges to match FCC’s E-Rate cuts, ensuring affordable Wi-Fi stays accessible for schools and libraries nationwide.

OPPORTUNITY: After rollbacks to #ERate funding for Wi-Fi hotspots, many libraries have new gaps in their budgets.

@missiontelecom.bsky.social is offering to help bridge the gaps for libraries & schools that received approval only to see it taken away. Learn more: missiontelecom.org/news-and-ins...

Libraries and Schools Brace for FCC Cuts to Wi-Fi Programs ‘We don’t yet know the full extent of what this vote means for libraries and schools.’

It's Digital Inclusion Week, which means we should be celebrating. But changes to the #ERate program by the FCC mean that libraries & their communities will lose out on federal support for internet access via Wi-Fi hotspots.

Read more, ft Sam Helmick: broadbandbreakfast.com/libraries-an... #DIW2025

FCC moves to end discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus connectivity The Federal Communications Commission voted to end discounts for library and school Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs on Tuesday, drawing criticism from lawmakers and librarians who say the move will mak...

Yesterday's vote by the FCC to end #ERate discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs in libraries will have negative impacts in communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.

Read more, featuring ALA President Sam Helmick: apnews.com/article/fcc-...

ALA disappointed by FCC takebacks, lack of due process in decision to end library hotspots, school bus Wi-Fi The American Library Association (ALA) and partners in the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, expressed disappointment with today’s FCC vote to end E-Rate support for library and ...

NEW: ALA is deeply disappointed in the FCC's vote today to end #ERate funding support for wi-fi hotspot lending programs at libraries and schools.

We don't yet know the full extent of the impacts, but we know that libraries & their communities rely on this support: www.ala.org/news/2025/09...