Activate Digital Learning
The FCC’s E-Rate Program provides eligible schools and libraries in the United States with funding from a Universal Service Fund to enhance digital learning and stay connected with telecommunications and information services affordably.
The program addresses two categories for E-Rate funding. Category 1 covers Broadband and Internet Access services, whereas Category 2 covers internal networking infrastructure.
Cambium Networks provides internet connectivity solutions to schools and libraries that are eligible for either funding category.
Latest E-Rate Updates
Funding Year 2027 is the second year of the five-year Category Two budget cycle (2026–2030). Most schools and libraries still have significant Category Two budget available for internal connections – Wi-Fi, switching and related infrastructure. FY2027 competitive bidding (FCC Form 470) opened July 1, 2026; the Form 471 application window is expected to run early January through early April 2027, with funded services beginning July 1, 2027. Find more information on E-Rate initiatives and related links at the FCC and USAC sites.
Application Process
Step 3
Apply for Discounts
Submit Form 471 – Determine Invoice Method
Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review
Step 4
Services Start
Confirm to USAC that services have started and report CIPA with Form 486
Submit Form 498 for BEAR payments
Eligible Products
Indoor and Outdoor Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 Access Points
cnMatrix Enterprise Switches
NSE Next-Gen Firewalls (firewall, content filtering, SD-WAN)
cnMaestro Management (cloud or on-premises)
Fixed Wireless for connecting buildings (cnWave 60 GHz)
Why Cambium E-Rate for 2027?
School districts are asked to do more with smaller budgets and leaner IT teams – while vendors keep adding license fees for features the hardware already has. Cambium delivers ONE Network for your entire district – Wi-Fi, switching, firewalls, fixed wireless and satellite WAN, managed from one console – with simple, all-inclusive licensing and a total cost of ownership the big names can’t match.
Superior TCO
Less hardware required to run the network with just one all-inclusive subscription that includes everything – AI assurance, guest onboarding and analytics.
High-Density Wi-Fi
Industry-exclusive multi-radio APs cover auditoriums, gyms and testing days with a fraction of the equipment – fewer APs, fewer cables, no controller.
Campus Safety and Mobile Coverage
Wi-Fi offload designed to support stronger campus mobile connectivity for staff, visitors and public safety users – with carrier-grade performance visibility in cnMaestro. Relevant for districts evaluating FirstNet-aligned school safety initiatives.
Starlink Integration for Rural Resiliency
Bring satellite WAN into the managed network via NSE firewalls and cnMaestro – monitoring, load balancing, failover and education-focused content filtering.
Built for Lean IT Teams
Single-pane cnMaestro operations plus MarketApps workflow apps for onboarding, installation, intent-based network config and troubleshooting – fewer truck rolls, faster time-to-resolution.
Proven in E-Rate
15+ years serving E-Rate schools and libraries with 1,000+ vendor awards.
We Strive To Bring Simplicity To E-Rate Program
View Our Resources:
Wi-Fi Designer Heat Map Tool
cnMaestro Cloud Management
E-Rate 2027 Customer Brochure
Contact a Specialist To Discuss Your School Connectivity Needs Today!
Primary Education Solutions
We offer right-sized network solutions tailored to the requirements of education.
Transforming Education and Connectivity – Cambium Networks Success Stories
“The challenges of digital learning stretched our legacy networks to their limits. By partnering with Cambium Networks, we significantly boosted the network’s capacity and reliability, which has been crucial for supporting our expansive educational goals in Wicomico.”
Jeremy Ford, Technology Infrastructure Manager, Wicomico County Public Schools
Partner E-Rate Resources
Partner Playbook
E-Rate 2027 Partner Resource Kit, competitive battlecards, pricing and webinar replays – all in the E-Rate Resources Playbook on the Partner Portal.