The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires telecommunications service providers to give special discounts to schools and libraries so that they can afford modern telecommunications and internet services.

Unified Network Services provides a State Telecommunications Network (STN) that Ohio schools and libraries can use for E-rate qualified services such as Internet access and equipment wiring needed for connectivity.

The federal Schools and Libraries Division grants the Education or (E-rate). Schools and Libraries apply for these funds and reduced rates through an application process.

Service Delivery Division has assisted Ohio libraries and school systems in receiving approximately $1 million in E-rate awards for 1998.

To learn more about E-rate please check out these sites:

For schools and libraries in need of the State of Ohio Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) for filing their forms with the Schools and Libraries Division, it is 143003831. Please remember that State Telecommunications Networks (STNs) such as ours in Ohio can only be a service provider for the categories of "Internet Access" and "Internal Connections."

For schools and libraries looking for Ameritech's SPIN, in Ohio for the category of "telecommunications services" (i.e. T-1's from the SOMACS contract #97-77-1202, Centrex service from the State's Centrex contract, etc.) it is 143001688.