Data Sources & Freshness

USAC datasets we useCopy Anchor Link

All E-Rate figures come from USAC Open Data, the public datasets USAC publishes at opendata.usac.org.

Tools that don't use USAC data work differently: Eligibility Checker uses a built-in product database, AI Q&A is grounded in the FY2026 ESL, the USAC Glossary and USAC training materials, and the compliance tools store what you enter.

How fresh the data isCopy Anchor Link

USAC refreshes its open data about once a day. How quickly that reaches each tool depends on the tool:

The "updated" date is when USAC last updated that dataset, not when you loaded the page. In Market Report, "USAC data as of" is the oldest of the three datasets it uses; hover over it to see each one's date. The Methodology notes at the bottom of the report list every dataset and its update time.

If the report data isn't loaded yet, Market Report shows Preparing report data and fills in automatically when the load finishes.

Current vs. as-filed versionsCopy Anchor Link

USAC keeps up to two versions of every funding request (FRN):

• As filed (Original) — the request exactly as the applicant submitted it on Form 471. Every FRN has this version, and it's the only one for FRNs that are still pending.
• Current — USAC's record after it issues a decision (Funded, Denied or Cancelled). It reflects changes made during USAC's review, such as adjusted amounts or a changed service provider.

How each tool handles this:

• Form 471 Search lets you pick the FRN Version: Most Recent (Current) shows decided FRNs, and As Filed (Original) shows requests as filed, including pending ones. If a search comes back empty, try the other version.
• Territory Intel, Provider Intel and Disbursements use each FRN's latest version: Current once USAC has decided it, otherwise as filed. Each line item is counted once.
• Market Report uses the same latest rule by default. Choose As filed under Customize to count every request as originally filed instead; requests USAC created during review have no as-filed record and are left out.

Why totals can differ from other reportsCopy Anchor Link

Small differences from USAC tools or other E-Rate reports are expected. Common reasons:

• Version — latest figures include USAC's review changes; as-filed snapshots don't.
• Eligible vs. total cost — by default dollar figures are eligible pre-discount costs. Some reports also count ineligible portions; in Market Report you can switch Amounts to Total cost incl. ineligible under Customize.
• Denied and cancelled requests — USAC shows $0 requested for denied and cancelled FRNs, while E-Rate FYI's requested amounts still count them unless you filter by FRN status.
• Timing — USAC data changes daily, and some tools reuse results for a few hours. Two reports pulled on different days won't match exactly.
• Brand names — in Market Report, manufacturer names are normalized (for example, Aruba is shown as HPE Aruba), and lines entered as "Other" are matched to a brand from the description where possible.
• Provider grouping — providers are identified by SPIN, so a company with several SPINs appears on several rows. In Market Report, choose Brand families under Customize to combine them.
• Provider changes — when an FRN's service provider changes after filing, it counts toward the new provider once USAC's Current record shows the change.

Informational onlyCopy Anchor Link

E-Rate FYI's figures are for research, planning and sales. They are not a USAC funding determination and do not replace USAC's official records. Confirm budgets, commitments and disbursements in EPC or USAC's own tools before you file, bid or invoice.