E-Rate Overview
Education is being transformed by the move to digital learning—whether in schools, at libraries, or on school buses. This drives the need for more and more network capacity and improved cyber threat protection. Verizon offers several cost-effective data, voice, network and security services to help meet your district’s communications needs and improve the learning experience. Many of these services are eligible for E-Rate funding.
Featured resources
E-Rate connectivity solutions
Access to the internet continues to be an issue for education—even schools with connectivity may not have the speed and bandwidth they need to support their learning objectives.
Security in education
Mobile Device Management (MDM) and effective cybersecurity are critical for protecting data and devices for students and staff.
Verizon E-Rate eligible services
Category 1 Includes services needed to support broadband connectivty to schools and libraries.
Ethernet
Our private Ethernet services are reliable and secure, with world-class performance, allowing you to connect your buildings, data centers and schools to deliver both IP and non-IP traffic securely across a single Ethernet connection. Whether you choose to use Ethernet services alone or with other Verizon Services, our common access architecture provides the flexibility to customize your network.
Dedicated Internet Access
Upgrade to a high-performance network backed by enterprise-grade, dedicated internet access. Our Internet Dedicated Services provide reliable connectivity and flexible bandwidth over a public network, so you can share content and curriculum easily and quickly.
Category 2 includes the internal connections needed for broadband connectivity within schools and libraries. Support is limited to the internal connections necessary to bring broadband into, and provide it throughout, schools and libraries.
Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) solutions
No matter how complex the specific needs, Verizon can help schools capitalize on their IT investment by providing ongoing support for mission-critical communications infrastructure. With everything from routers and switches to Wi-Fi access points, our customer premises equipment solutions help you refresh technology as you see fit. Verizon has direct relationships with the industry’s premier manufacturers and suppliers of communications equipment and we offer equipment, installation, and maintenance services at competitive prices to help you take full advantage of advances in communications technology.
Structured cabling provides a complete solution for wiring and cable upgrades to support customers across the United States. Verizon has direct relationships with the industry's premier manufacturers and suppliers of communications components and installers to offer structured cabling services at competitive prices.
USAC links
Invoicing & discount reimbursement process
There are two approved methods of issuing invoices to USAC for reimbursement under the E-Rate program. Verizon supports both the BEAR and SPI invoicing methods.
Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement
Applicants file the Form 472 Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) form if they have paid their service provider in full for the supported services and want to be reimbursed by USAC for the approved discount amount. USAC recommends that applicants file their BEAR Form 472 online. Verizon supports the online BEAR form filing process and checks USAC's web site regularly for BEAR Form 472s that require certification.
Service Provider Invoice
If the service providers have issued discounted bills to the applicants, the service providers file the Form 474 Service Provider Invoice (SPI) with USAC seeking reimbursement.
Under both methods, USAC reviews the invoices and will process the payment once the invoice has been approved.
E-Rate contact resources
Verizon Wireline Services
For sales and product information:
- Email: erate-info@verizon.com
- Phone: 855-343-7283
Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST
For E-Rate Reimbursement/Discounting issues or General E-Rate questions:
- Phone: 800-547-5474
- Fax: 717-232-4092
Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST Monday - Friday
Verizon Wireless Services
E-Rate Support Team regarding Service Provider Invoice (SPI) discounts, AOL and any other E-Rate related inquiries:
- Email: erate@verizonwireless.com
- Phone: 844-825-8389
Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) requests or any Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) audits:
SLD Client Service Bureau for inquiries about Federal Communications Commission forms or application process:
- Phone: 888-203-8100
Customer Service inquiries regarding account maintenance for bill reprints or billing questions for account balance, payments, etc:
Business Support Center (now known as BGCO)
- Phone: 800-922-0204