The Schools and Libraries Division posted a new eligible services list on Dec. 18, making some slight changes to the one that was posted a month before.
The new list expands the definition of "basic telephone service" to include cellular service and Personal Communications Service, in addition to Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) and long distance service. It notes that 911/E911 dedicated telecommunications trunks or lines are ineligible for support. An SLD explanation noted that they do not support instruction.
Finally, the new list eliminates a discrepancy that suggested that video equipment used for distance learning was not eligible for support, when it was described as eligible elsewhere on the list.
The new list eliminates the citation from the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that was used as the basis for the determination. The SLD said "that information is important in reaching decisions on eligibility, but the key information for applicants and service providers is the decision on eligibility itself."
The full list is available at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/before-you-begin/eligible-services-list/
