Taking the Next Step in E-rate Modernization

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that he will be circulating a draft order to his fellow FCC Commissioners for consideration at the December FCC Meeting to take the next step in his comprehensive effort to modernize the E-rate program.

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis are releasing an “E-rate Data Update” staff report summarizing the information the FCC has received since the July E-rate Modernization Order and staff analysis of it. The Chairman also summarized these findings in a press call joined by Sen Ed Markey (D-MA), who was instrumental in the creation of E-rate. This press fact sheet provides a succinct description of the Internet connectivity gaps and the Chairman’s proposal to adjust the program’s spending cap to a level that will enable long-term E-rate connectivity targets to be met. The order the Chairman circulates will also propose a series of targeted rule changes designed to ensure that the nation’s students and life-long learners can get the 21st Century educations required to keep the nation globally competitive.