E-Rate Service Provider
Your E-Rate Category 2 service provider
LATechNet is an E-Rate service provider specializing in Category 2 services for K-12 schools. We provide the network infrastructure, maintenance, and managed services that keep your campus connected — and we do it at E-Rate eligible pricing so your school gets the most from its funding.
What is E-Rate?
E-Rate is a federal program run by the FCC that helps K-12 schools and libraries get affordable internet and networking. Depending on your school's eligibility, E-Rate can cover 20% to 90% of the cost of qualifying technology services and equipment.
The program is split into two categories:
Category 1
Internet access and data transmission services — the connection that brings internet to your school.
Category 2 What we provide
Internal connections, maintenance, and managed services — the equipment and support that distributes connectivity inside your school.
Think of it this way: Category 1 gets the internet to your front door. Category 2 — what LATechNet provides — gets it to every classroom, office, and device on your campus.
Where LATechNet fits in
LATechNet is an E-Rate service provider. When your school posts a Form 470 requesting Category 2 services, we review your needs and submit a competitive bid. If selected, we deliver the equipment, installation, and ongoing support — all at E-Rate eligible pricing.
We don't help with the application process — that's handled by your school or your E-Rate consultant. What we do is provide the actual services your school is applying for: the Wi-Fi access points, network switches, cabling, firewalls, and the people who install and maintain them.
What we provide under E-Rate Category 2
Internal Connections
The network equipment and infrastructure that distributes connectivity throughout your school — Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, cabling, racks, UPS, and firewall appliances. We design, install, and configure the backbone that keeps every classroom connected.
Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC)
Ongoing maintenance to keep your network infrastructure running reliably — hardware repair and replacement, configuration changes, software updates, and troubleshooting. We keep your equipment in working order so your campus stays connected year-round.
Managed Internal Broadband Services (MIBS)
Comprehensive management of your school's internal network — we operate, monitor, and maintain your network infrastructure as a managed service. Instead of your school handling network issues in-house, LATechNet takes full responsibility for keeping your internal broadband running smoothly.
How the E-Rate bid process works
Your school files a Form 470
Your school or district posts a Form 470 in the E-Rate Productivity Center describing the Category 2 services you need. This opens a 28-day competitive bidding window.
Service providers review and bid
Once your 470 is posted to the E-Rate Productivity Center, service providers like LATechNet can see it and submit competitive bids during the 28-day bidding window. You can also share your 470 number with us directly using the form on this page — sometimes applications go unnoticed, and this makes sure we see yours.
LATechNet submits a competitive bid
We review your 470 requirements and respond with a detailed, competitive bid for the Category 2 services your school needs — Internal Connections, BMIC, or MIBS.
Your school evaluates and selects
After the 28-day bidding window closes, your school evaluates all bids using your bid evaluation criteria and selects the best fit.
We deliver and support
If selected, LATechNet handles the full deployment — equipment, installation, configuration, and ongoing support throughout the funding year.
Important note about E-Rate compliance
As an E-Rate service provider, LATechNet provides Category 2 services — we do not assist with the E-Rate application process itself. Per FCC regulations, service providers cannot prepare, sign, or certify Form 470s or provide input on RFPs for applicants. This separation ensures the integrity of the competitive bidding process for your school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is E-Rate Category 2?
E-Rate Category 2 covers the internal network equipment and services that distribute internet connectivity inside your school — Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, cabling, firewalls, and the maintenance and management of that infrastructure. The E-Rate program can fund 20-90% of these costs depending on your school's eligibility.
Is LATechNet an E-Rate service provider?
Yes — LATechNet is a certified E-Rate Category 2 service provider serving K-12 schools in Southern California. We provide Internal Connections, Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC), and Managed Internal Broadband Services (MIBS) at E-Rate eligible pricing.
How do I get LATechNet to bid on my school's E-Rate 470?
You can submit your Form 470 number directly on our E-Rate services page at latechnet.com/solutions/erate. We'll review your requirements and submit a competitive bid. You can also contact us at (562) 459-5660 or hello@latechnet.com.
What areas does LATechNet serve for E-Rate?
We serve K-12 schools throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and surrounding areas.
Can LATechNet help with the E-Rate application?
Per FCC regulations, E-Rate service providers cannot assist with the application process and also bid on the same project. LATechNet is a service provider — we respond to your Form 470 with a competitive bid and deliver the Category 2 services your school needs. For application assistance, schools should work with an E-Rate consultant.
“The LATechNet team is responsive and they understand the specific needs of charter schools. They have helped our school manage multiple facets of our technology infrastructure and plan for future growth. The team is fantastic at solving problems and are at the forefront of new developments in educational technology and security.”
— Noel Trout & Andrea Klein, Administrators, LA Corps
Need help with other school technology? See all our services for schools
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