Several critical updates have been released that will directly impact FY2026 planning, FCC filings, and vendor responses. Below is a summary of the most important developments applicants and service providers should review as they prepare for the upcoming funding year.
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released the Funding Year (FY) 2026 Eligible Services List (ESL) (DA 25-1069) on December 17, 2025.
The ESL outlines which services and equipment are eligible for E-Rate discounts for the upcoming funding year.
What applicants and vendors should do:
Review the FY2026 ESL to confirm continued eligibility of services and equipment
Identify any changes that may impact current procurement plans
Adjust bidding and contract strategies accordingly
The FCC has announced the following filing window for FY2026 FCC Form 471:
Opens: January 21, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)
Closes: April 1, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
March 4, 2026, is the last day to submit and certify an FY2026 FCC Form 470 and still satisfy the required 28-day competitive bidding period before filing Form 471 by the April 1 deadline.
Missing this deadline could impact funding eligibility.
For FY2026, manufacturer support is eligible only under Internal Connections (IC).
This includes:
Related software
Patches
Remote support services directly tied to Internal Connections equipment
Manufacturer support is no longer eligible under Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC) unless it meets the updated IC requirements.
If a Form 470 appears to request manufacturer support under BMIC only, vendors should seek clarification.
A suggested technical clarification question:
“Due to recent updates to the FY2026 Eligible Services List, can you confirm that manufacturer support services are being requested under Internal Connections, as required for FY2026 eligibility?”
Staying aligned with these changes early can prevent eligibility issues later in the funding process.