Friday note · Week of October 6, 2026
Comments Tuesday. EPC Saturday.
1. FCC comments on an E-Rate review are due Tue Oct 13
In FCC 26-41 (WC Docket No. 26-133, published Aug 14), the FCC asks how to protect children on E-Rate-funded networks, how it is doing on affordable broadband to and within schools, and whether its current reading of CIPA is the right one. It also proposes program-integrity and streamlining changes. Comments are due Oct 13. Reply comments are due Nov 12. Most shops do not file. File only if CIPA filtering or E-Rate paperwork has a cost you want the FCC to hear. Otherwise know the window is open and skip it. Nothing in how you apply or invoice changes this week.
Federal Register — FCC 26-41 (FR Doc. 2026-16590). Dockets 26-133, 13-184, 21-93, and 21-455.
2. USAC systems may be down Saturday, Oct 10
Maintenance runs Sat Oct 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET (5 a.m. to 1 p.m. AZ). Systems may be unavailable for a long stretch. If weekend EPC or invoicing was on the list, do it Friday or after 1 p.m. AZ.
Ignore this
- EPC admin window opens Oct 21. That is next week's note.
- FY2025 recurring invoices or the one-time IDE, most of them due Oct 28.
- FY2026 Form 486 on Oct 29, and only if the FCDL is on or before July 1 and service started July 1.
- Thursday night's EPC window (Oct 8, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET). It is over before this note.
- Eligible Services 101 webinar (Nov 3).
Two-person week
- Before Tue Oct 13: File a comment only if CIPA filtering or E-Rate paperwork has a cost you want the FCC to hear. Otherwise skip it.
- Friday, or after 1 p.m. AZ Saturday: Do not start EPC or invoicing Saturday morning. The window is 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. AZ.
- When tickets allow: Do not start the Oct 21 profile update yet. That is next week, with the Oct 28 and Oct 29 clocks.
Skip this week: A comment you do not have; Saturday morning EPC; next week's admin window, invoices, and Form 486.
Forward this to the other person on the team. The Friday note is free. No vendor pitches.