FCC Releases Draft Eligible Services List

On May 21, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau asked for comment on the E-rate proposed Eligible Services List (ESL) for funding year 2016.  The proposed ESL incorporates several changes spurred by the FCC’s Second E-rate Modernization Order, which we have written about previously.

These include:

• New eligibility for self-provisioned networks
• New eligibility for equipment needed to light dark fiber, and self-provisioned broadband networks
• Adding language indicating that to the extent that voice services are provided over ISDN lines, those services are subject to the phase down in support for voice services
• Clarification of the eligibility of firewall equipment and services under Category 2

The Bureau requested comment on all these changes and also asked for comment on applicants’ and others’ experience with the new ESL format during the 2015 funding year. Comments are due by June 22, 2015, and reply comments are due by July 6, 2015.