Benton Welcomes ConnectED Progress

Basic Internet connectivity is no longer sufficient to meet our 21st Century educational needs. High-capacity broadband is critical and necessary infrastructure for our nation’s schools and libraries – and modernizing the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program is the centerpiece of solving the infrastructure challenge. But modernization of this crucial program cannot happen overnight. Today’s commitments announced by President Obama accomplishes two important things: 1) it starts getting high-speed broadband into America’s schools and libraries now while 2) providing the FCC some time to maximize the cost-effectiveness of E-rate funds and streamline the administration of the E-rate program. These are important steps. We look forward to aiding the FCC as it completes the task of updating the E-rate program to ensure that schools and libraries have affordable access to 21st Century broadband in support of digital learning.