E-rate Commits Over $450 Million for Broadband in Schools and Libraries in First Wave of Funding for 2014

A record level of early financial support for broadband in schools and libraries has been approved by the E-rate program, the Federal Communications Commission’s program for supporting communications services in these institutions.

Reflecting a dedicated effort by the FCC to get critical funding for broadband to schools and libraries as quickly as possible, the $450 million in funding commitments for broadband is six times the amount approved at this time in 2013 by USAC, the program administrator.

Including other communications services, USAC committed a total of $607 million in support in the first wave of funding for 2014.