On May 12, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission issued an Order granting in part a petition filed by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) requesting an extension of the service delivery deadline for Emergency Connectivity Fund participants. Citing “the timing for processing ECF applications and other factors beyond ECF applicants’ and service providers’ control,” the FCC noted that “some ECF applicants may not be able to use all of their approved committed funding to the fullest extent possible.” The FCC also asked applicants to take steps to “de-obligate funding that [they] do not need as soon as possible” so the funds may be “made available to for the remaining ECF third window funding requests” for applicants with “continuing unmet needs.”
In supporting SHLB and CoSN’s petition in part, the FCC extended some – but not all – service delivery deadlines for ECF funding requests. In summary:
First and Second ECF Window FRNs
By default, the service delivery deadline for first and second window ECF FRNs is June 30, 2023. This date will extend under the following circumstances:
Service Funding Requests
If an FCDL or RFCDL is issued on or after July 1, 2022, the service delivery deadline will be 14 months from the date of the letter, or June 30, 2024, whichever is earlier.
Equipment Funding Requests
If an FCDL or RFCDL is issued on or after January 1, 2023, the service delivery deadline will be 180 days after the date of the letter, not to exceed June 30, 2024.
Third ECF Window FRNs
“All applicants with approved third filing window funding requests for recurring services, non-recurring services, and equipment have a service delivery date of June 30, 2024.”
The Order also grants extensions for recurring services in some cases where special construction projects may have been delayed.
The ECF deadline extension Order may be viewed here.
