EAGLE-Net Alliance responded to more than 150 E-Rate requests during the 2013 application window.  Of these responses, EAGLE-Net received nearly 60 commitments from schools and libraries across the state of Colorado.  This is over a 60% increase in commitments from the 2012 season.

 

For more information about E-Rate, please reference the Colorado Department of Education's website.   Here is a quick summary from the CDE website about the E-Rate program:

 

E-Rate is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States 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.

 

The Schools and Libraries Program supports connectivity - the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet. Funding is requested under four categories of service: telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services. Eligible schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium.

 

We are pleased with the response and thank all of the entities who have made commitments to EAGLE-Net.   

Weld County School District RE-1 Superintendent and EAGLE-Net board member, Dr. Jo Barbie, recently announced at the March EAGLE-Net Board of Directors meeting that her school district will be increasing their broadband bandwidth next year with EAGLE-Net service at a substantially reduced costs.  

The school district will increase their bandwidth from their current 50 Mbps connection to a 100 Mbps connection starting in July 2013.  With the new contract, they will also experience a 75% reduction in cost from the previous year.  Superintendent Barbie is thrilled with the new contract that will deliver twice the bandwidth at a substantial savings from their current contract.  She is currently working with her staff to determine the best way to reinvest those cost savings into their technology program to better help students and staff in their educational endeavors.