On December 14, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission released the Eligible Services List (ESL) for Funding Year 2023. While the Commission added a clarification that fixed wireless services are eligible for E-rate support, the FY2023 ESL contains no substantive changes to product or service eligibility. The FCC also waived its requirement that the Eligible Services List be available at least 60 days prior to the opening of the annual application filing window.
In the Public Notice accompanying the FY2023 Eligible Services List, the Commission declined “to address comments and reply comments requesting that we include advanced or next-generation firewall or other network security services to the eligible services list, due to the complexity of these issues and the limited scope” of the ESL proceeding. They did note, however, that they are seeking comments on the topic in a separate proceeding.
The Public Notice also reminded stakeholders that “a draft Declaratory Ruling finding that the provision of Wi-Fi on school buses serves an educational purpose and is eligible for E-Rate support was circulated on May 11, 2022,” and that the Commission would “separately seek comment on the issue of adding Wi-Fi services to school buses” if that ruling was adopted.
The FY2023 Eligible Services List may be viewed here.
