Mobile Internet services.
Because wireline solutions are seen as more cost-effective than mobile, you may be asked by USAC to substantiate your decision to choose mobile Internet services.
Helping schools and libraries get connected.
You may be eligible to get T-Mobile voice and data service at a reduced rate through E-Rate—a program created by the federal government to help eligible schools and libraries with connectivity needs.
Please note: If you receive equipment or service through our EmpowerED™ or EmpowerED 2.0 programs, T-Mobile will not be able to serve as your E-Rate provider.
The program
Improve educational outcomes with affordable voice and data service.
How schools and libraries can benefit.
While outdated infrastructure and uncertain funding can make it a challenge to ensure voice and data service at your institution, eligible schools and libraries can use E-Rate to get a discount through T-Mobile—with no annual service contracts and no overage charges.
Voice services.
Per FCC guidelines, funding support for voice services was phased out as of July 1, 2019 with the start of the 2019 Funding Year.
Our part
We’ll guide you through the process of obtaining federal funding.
Another way we’ve got your back.
Our regulatory team is dedicated to helping you navigate the E-Rate program to ensure your school, library, district, or consortium can maximize your available E-Rate benefits.
New to the program?
Get started
Choose one of two ways to collect your E-Rate funding.
Ready to apply for federal funding?
Questions about our E-Rate program?
How do I qualify for E-Rate?
To participate in E-Rate, you must be an eligible school or library. The level of funding available to any particular applicant through E-Rate is determined by USAC and is based on a coefficient of location and the percentage of the student population that qualifies to participate in the National School Lunch Program.
If you are unfamiliar with E-Rate, a good first step is to learn about E-Rate eligibility and eligible services. If you are an applicant (a school, library, district, or consortium), you can review the application process. Once you understand the process, click on the ‘Before You Begin’ link to learn about what you need to know before you file your first form.
USAC has developed some helpful documentation to help make the application process easier to understand, including an SL Process Overview for Applicants.
NOTE: If you receive equipment or service through T-Mobile’s EmpowerED™ program, T-Mobile will not be able to serve as your E-Rate provider.
Where can I get more information on the E-Rate program at T-Mobile?
Please contact a T-Mobile E-Rate Regulatory Specialist at universalservice@t-mobile.com. T-Mobile E-Rate Regulatory Specialists are highly trained in the Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) program and can help answer your questions.
Applicants interested in the E-Rate program can also get additional information on the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) website at http://usac.org/sl/.
What is a Funding Year?
Each E-Rate Funding Year begins on July 1st and concludes on June 30th of the following year. For example, FY 2019 begins on July 1, 2019 and will end on June 30, 2020.
The E-Rate Funding Year represents the length of time that services may be delivered for a specific funding commitment. Please visit http://www.usac.org/sl for more information about funding commitments and applying for E-Rate services.
What is a SPIN number?
A Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned to telecommunication companies throughout the United States by the administrator of the Federal Universal Service Fund, the Universal Service Administrative Company, also known commonly as USAC. Carrier SPINs are required to be provided by applicants for E-Rate when completing their Form 471 and/or when requesting a change in carriers.
T-Mobile’s SPIN Number, for use everywhere in the United States, except the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico, is 143026181.
T-Mobile’s Puerto Rico SPIN Number, for use only in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico, is 143029059.
If you are an E-Rate applicant ready to submit your Form 471 and you are interested in using T-Mobile as your service provider, please make sure you list T-Mobile’s appropriate SPIN Number specified above.
Already applied for E-Rate funding? What’s next?
You’ll need to figure out what discounts and which services you qualify for. Find out more at http://usac.org/sl/applicants/step03/discounts.aspx.