The State Department of Education (SDE) Broadband Program is responsible for reimbursing Idaho’s E-rate eligible entities for the remaining portion of eligible broadband costs after their E-rate discount is applied.
The Broadband Program compiles and analyzes broadband utilization data from entities receiving reimbursement for broadband services. This analysis is used to forecast budget requests and help entities determine their broadband needs.
Make an Appointment to Discuss Broadband and E-rate!
Do you have questions about broadband funding, E-rate filings, or the Broadband Reimbursement Program? Please click below to schedule a call, and subscribe to the newsletter for important reminders and updates!
Please review the Broadband Program Policy and Procedures here.
STEP 1: Receive a Funding Commitment Letter for E-rate eligible services.
- Internet Access/Transmission, or Category 1
- Category 2 funding requests, such as Wi-Fi access points or managed services just content filtering, are not eligible for reimbursement
STEP 2: Contact the broadband program coordinator and provide the following:
- Signed copy of contracts of eligible services and relevant documents
- Technical contact to maintain utilization monitoring with SDE staff.
(For more information about utilization monitoring, please review the Program Policies and Procedures, or contact the program coordinator).
STEP 3: Provide eligible invoices to program coordinator for reimbursement.
- State reimbursements are issued twice per year (December and June).
- Participating schools will be contacted in November and May to provide eligible invoices.
Recommended Bandwidth For LEAs by User Count
User Count (Students + Staff) as reported in ISEE | Recommended Bandwidth |
---|---|
499 Users or below | Minimum: 100 Mbps Maximum: Up to 1 Gbps if the monthly cost is: 1) equal to or less than $2,000/mo, AND 2) equal to or less than $2.00 per Mbps |
At least 500 | Minimum: 1 Gbps Maximum: Up to 1 Gbps |
At least 1,500 | Minimum: 1 Gbps Maximum: Up to 2 Gbps |
At least 3,000 | Minimum: 1 Gbps Maximum: Up to 5 Gbps |
At least 6,000 | Minimum: 1 Gbps Maximum: Up to 10 Gbps, or 1Mbps/User |
At least 15,000 | Minimum: 1 Gbps Maximum: Up to 20 Gbps, or 1 Mbps/User |
At least 35,000 | Minimum: 1 Gbps Maximum: Up to 40 Gbps, or 1 Mbps/User |
Idaho Code §33-910(1) created the Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant (BIIG) Fund. Monies from this fund are available to be distributed by SDE to provide state matching funds for eligible special construction projects to deploy new fiber (or fiber-equivalent) for high-speed broadband.
As of January 13th, 2022, the Education Opportunity Resource Committee is comprised of the following individuals in each role as listed in Idaho Code §33-5603:
- Chris Campbell
- Representative of State Board of Education
- Committee Chairman
- Chief Technology Officer
- Daniel Vogt
- Designee of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Committee Vice-Chair
- E-rate and Broadband Program Coordinator
- Shawn Tiegs
- Superintendent representing small schools (Fewer than 1,000 students)
- Nez Perce School District #302
- David Carson
- Superintendent representing medium schools (Between 1,000 and 4,999 students)
- Buhl School District #412
- Scott Wolstenhume
- Superintendent representing large schools (5,000 students or greater)
- Bonneville School District #93
- Stephanie Bailey-White
- State Librarian
- Idaho Commission for Libraries
- Seth Deniston
- IETA Appointee #1
- Director of Technology at Coeur d’Alene School District #271
- Dan Smith
- IETA Appointee #2
- Director of Technology, Kendrick School District #283
Resource Files
General Information
BIIG
EORC
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
BIIG
EORC
Training Resources
No content available.