Funds For Learning met with the Federal Communications Commission to discuss the results of a national survey of E‐Rate applicants that was conducted in June 2021. Over 2,100, which is about 10 percent of all E‐Rate applicants, submitted their responses in the nationwide survey. Respondents showed broad agreement in the following areas:
E-rate/Schools and Libraries Program
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/logo-lossless_0.png?itok=lq1CMF5H)
Schools and libraries request 12.9 million devices via the Emergency Connectivity Fund
A review of applications for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) demonstrates the urgent need for laptop computers and internet access for millions of K-12 students and library patrons. Schools and libraries have requested support for 12.9 million devices via the ECF. There were two ECF filing windows in 2021. 9.4 million laptop computers were requested along with another 1.7 million tablet computers. Connected learning devices represented two-thirds of the $6.3 billion in support that was requested, and 17 percent of the funds were requested for mobile broadband.
Comcast Seeks FCC Clarity on Lift Zones Waiver
Comcast wants the Federal Communications Commission to clarify that it can continue its Lift Zone pilot project beyond the 2022 expiration of a waiver it obtained from an E-rate program rule. The FCC agreed in October to let Comcast test expanding its Lift Zone diverse broadband access program from community centers so libraries that receive E-rate funding. It did so by extending its pandemic-related waiver of the prohibition on gifts from providers to E-rate school and library recipients until June 30, 2022.
Will tech provisions make the cut in Democrats' spending bill?
As Democrats attempt to shrink their social spending plan by hundreds of billions of dollars in order to reach consensus between moderates and progressives, the fate of several of its tech provisions hangs in the balance. House Democrats included a boatload of technology and telecommunications cash in the original $3.5 trillion version of their spending package, which the party is planning to pass without GOP support under a process called reconciliation.
Broadband is Missing from Biden-Harris Equity Fact Sheet
The Biden Administration has released a fact sheet on its efforts to advance equity and opportunity, including educational opportunities for Black people. But neither in that pages-long email to reporters nor in a new executive order from President Biden on further advancing equity is broadband even mentioned in the equity equation.
Lawmakers Introduce the Preventing Disruptions to Universal Services Funds Act
Reps Jahana Hayes (D-CT), and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Preventing Disruptions to Universal Services Funds Act (H.R.5400) to extend access to federal funds for telecommunications programs for three years, eliminating the need for a yearly fund recertification. The bill was created to ensure internet access for millions across the country is not disrupted by federal funding costs allowing for continuous access to available resources.
Do We Still Need the Universal Service Fund?
There is currently a policy debate circulating asking who should pay to fund the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund. For decades the USF has collected fees from telephone carriers providing landline and cellular phones – and these fees have been passed on to consumers. As landline telephone usage has continued to fall, the fees charged to customers have increased. To fix this, there have been calls to spread fees more widely.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/fcc-official-logo-tn_381.jpg?itok=XsXXB3tp)
FCC Proposes Update To E-Rate Rules To Promote Participation Of Tribal Libraries
The Federal Communications Commission proposed revisions to the definition of library in the E-Rate program rules to clarify that Tribal libraries are eligible to participate in the program. Some Tribal libraries have been unable to receive support from the program, which provides discounts on broadband services to schools and libraries, because they did not meet the outdated definition of a library in the FCC’s rules.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/benton_2_96.png?itok=5TtrpM9i)
How Do We Pay For Universal Service?
As the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act awaits a vote in the House of Representatives later this month, a debate over the future of the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund (USF) is already starting. Provisions in the infrastructure bill call for the FCC to quickly complete an evaluation of how the legislation will impact how the FCC's achieves the goal of deploying broadband to all Americans. Congress wants to know how the FCC can be more effective in achieving this goal. One brewing USF issue is how we pay for it.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/SHLB_logo.png?itok=VjJixnU2)
USForward: FCC Must Reform USF Contributions Now - An Analysis of the Options
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF or Fund) has been one of the nation’s most important tools for connecting our nation, including rural communities, low-income families, schools, libraries, and rural health care facilities. However, the funding mechanism that supports the Fund is under significant duress. The “contribution base” – the revenues used to calculate USF contributions – has declined 63% in the last two decades, from $79.9 billion in 2001 to $29.6 billion in 2021.