FCC Directs USAC To Fully Fund Eligible E-Rate Requests

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that there is sufficient funding available to fully meet the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) estimated demand for category one and two requests for E-Rate supported services for funding year 2022. USAC estimates the total demand for funding year 2022 will be $3.15 billion, which includes $1.64 billion for category one services and $1.51 billion for category two services. The FCC announced that the E-Rate program funding cap for funding year 2022 is $4.46 billion. Additionally, according to USAC projections, $500 million in unused funds from prior funding years is available for use in E-Rate funding year 2022. In light of the current funding cap of $4.46 billion and available carry forward funding of $500 million, the FCC directs USAC to fully fund eligible category one and category two requests, using the $500 million in E-Rate funds unused from prior years, and any additional funds needed under the current funding cap to fully meet the demand.