On September 1, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission issued an Order waiving rules and deadlines in the E-rate and Emergency Connectivity Fund programs for applicants affected by Hurricane Idalia in Florida’s Gulf Coast. For the E-rate program, the FCC waived:
“(1) the 60-day deadline to file appeals and requests for waiver;
(2) the deadline to file FCC Forms 486, 472, and 474;
(3) the September 30, 2023 service implementation deadline for non-recurring services;
(4) portions of the service and equipment substitution rule; and
(5) document retention and production requirements for participating E-Rate applicants and service providers whose documents were destroyed by Hurricane Idalia.”
For the ECF program, waivers were granted for:
“(1) the 30-day deadline to file appeals and requests for waiver;
(2) the deadline to file FCC Forms 472, and 474;
(3) portions of the service and equipment substitution rule; and
(4) document retention and production requirements for participating ECF program participants whose documents were destroyed by Hurricane Idalia.”
In most cases, applicants were given 150 calendar days from the date of the Order to file appeals and forms. In addition, service substitution requirements were relaxed to “allow applicants in the Affected Disaster Areas maximum flexibility to substitute services and product(s) based on their local needs without being constrained by categories of service or service types.”
The Order may be viewed here.
