ICEDT's advocacy for E-Rate program is intended to makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools in Africa.  We invite well meaning education leaders to speak up for the need to raise a funding program for E-Rate services for schools. ICEDT's advocacy for E-Rate program will help provide discounts for telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections to eligible schools and libraries. We stand for edutech equity in schools in Africa.

There is a greater need to connect students, teachers and education leaders to online learning resources, life-long learning, and information have led to a steady rise in demand for bandwidth in schools and libraries. There is a need to provide equitable technology in all our school which will significantly expand Wi-Fi access. ICEDT advocates both private and public funding participation.

What benefits are available under the E-Rate program?

Eligible schools and libraries may receive discounts on telecommunications, telecommunications services, and Internet access, as well as internal connections, managed internal broadband services and basic maintenance of internal connections.

Discounts will range from 20 to 90 percent and are based on the poverty level of the schools.  Rural schools and libraries may also receive a higher discount.  Recipients must pay some portion of the service costs.

How will the E-Rate program work?

First, ICEDT moves for the establishment of the African Service Administrative Company (ASAC) for the regulation of E-Rate application and funding. An eligible school identifies services it needs and submits a request for competitive bids to the African Service Administrative Company (ASAC).  ASAC posts these requests on its website for vendors to bid on.  After reviewing the vendors' bids, the school selects the most cost-effective eligible products and services using price as the primary factor.  It then applies to ASAC for approval for the desired purchases.

Next, ASAC issues funding commitments to eligible applicants.  When a vendor provides the selected services, either the vendor or the applicant submits requests to ASAC for reimbursement of the approved discounts.

The bid request and competitive bidding processes must comply with the state and local procurement requirements.

How can my school benefit?

Every school will be required to register with ASAC in order to be enlisted for the E-Rate benefits.  

How are requests prioritized?

If demand for E-Rate money is greater than the available funds, funding is allocated first to the highest poverty schools and libraries, then the next-highest poverty applicants, and so on.

How much funding is available?

At the moment, there are no funds available. This African schools E-Rate program is currently being advocated for by ICEDT and we will continue to speak up for equitable technology and E-Rate across Africa.