Microsoft communication solutions at reduced cost through E-Rate
E-Rate eligible offerings from Microsoft use the power and flexibility of the cloud, on-premises solutions, or a combination of both to best meet your needs. Microsoft provides Priority 2 eligible services for internal connections and basic maintenance. Eligible services include unified communications (for example. email, voice mail, and private branch exchanges (PBXs), video conferencing, web hosting, and virtualization).
Making the most of the power and flexibility of the cloud and on-premises solutions, Microsoft E-Rate solutions can help you improve interaction with the student body, parents, and the community at large. And because the products and services will likely fit within your existing environment, your school can better manage costs while transitioning to a modern communications platform.
Note: Microsoft received a recent update from our E-Rate consultants confirming that Lync Online is NOT E-Rate eligible for Priority 1 services. Therefore Lync online 470’s will not be eligible for E-Rate funding per the ESL guidelines denoted on pages 3-7 of Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism Eligible Services List for Funding Year 2012 document. (
Download PDF document (5.58 MB)).
Lync Server 2010 on premises for Priority 2 IS E-Rate eligible. If you have any questions, please contact
edmktg@microsoft.com.
E-Rate service categories and eligible solutions*
| Internet access and telecommunications services (Priority 1)** |
Internal connections (Priority 2)*** |
Basic maintenance
(Priority 2)*** |
|
|
- Support for eligible services: Support for Microsoft Lync Server from a Lync Certified Support Partner.
|
* Microsoft’s SPIN is 143013242
** Priority 1 is available to all eligible applicants regardless of discount rate.
*** Priority 2 is available only to eligible applicants who qualify for higher discount rates, as determined under the E-Rate program.
Microsoft E-Rate eligible products can help:
- Optimize and extend Universal Service Fund investments
Microsoft E-Rate eligible services can help schools extend their existing on-premises investments to serve more classrooms and more students. By optimizing local funds with E-Rate funds, schools can extend their reach into the community.
- Help reduce phone bills and increase collaboration
Through federation, schools and agencies using Lync 2010 can connect to one another through the web, helping lower phone and audio conferencing fees while increasing collaboration potential.
Choose an IT solution partner
When choosing an education partner to help you implement a customized solution, we recommend that you:
1. Work with a partner that has an E-Rate Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN).
2. Consult with a Microsoft Certified Partner with Unified Communications/Lync Gold Competency and are a Microsoft Lync Certified Support Partner.