The E-Rate Program: 6 Big Numbers to Know

There's still a lot to be gleaned about the state of the E-rate and school connectivity. Here are six big numbers to know.

1. The E-rate program continues to have extraordinary reach, impacting more than 118,000 school and library facilities across the US.
2. Schools' appetite for bandwidth continues to grow, with $2.5 billion in E-rate requests for data & internet service. 
3. Among surveyed applicants, 55 percent want voice services to remain E-rate-eligible.
4. The average school site requesting E-rate funding now spends $32,576 on Wi-Fi equipment and services.
5. Among surveyed applicants, 48 percent said the E-rate's 'self-provisioning' option lowers bandwidth costs.
6. Among surveyed applicants, 44 percent still don't like the E-rate application process.