E-Rate remains critical to school broadband connectivity

In its ninth annual E-Rate Trends Report, compliance firm Funds For Learning finds the Federal Communications Commission's connectivity discount program for schools and libraries remains crucial to providing broadband access for many, with 88% of applicants expecting bandwidth needs to grow in the next three years. Among the findings: 82% of E-rate applicants report that home internet access for students or library patrons remains insufficient, 70% find that the program's competitive bidding rules are lowering internet service prices, and 88% report Wi-Fi is "extremely important" to meeting their goals, up from 79% in fiscal year 2018. "Like the technology it supports, the E-rate program must continue to evolve and mature," wrote Funds For Learning CEO John Harrington. "The past success of this program is not happenstance and its future success should not be taken for granted. New regulations currently being considered hold the opportunity to increase or decrease the program’s efficacy, and the results will impact millions of lives."