E-rate/Schools and Libraries Program
Gov Inslee's Plan for Thriving Rural Economies includes Expanding Rural Broadband Connectivity
Every facet of society depends on broadband connectivity. 2020 presidential candidate Gov Jay Inslee’s (D-WA) is committed to confronting the rural broadband challenge, by:
Universal Service Fund budget cap promotes efficiency, sustainability
Four different universal service initiatives, each aimed at solving a different problem, are funded by a single surcharge on interstate and international telecommunications revenue. Over the past two decades, each program has grown independently without much regard to cost, or to the activities of the fund’s other programs. As a result, the surcharge has risen from 3 percent in 1998 to a whopping 24.4 percent today.
Mayor Pete's Commitment to America's Heartland: Internet for All
Mayor Pete Buttigieg's policies to uplift rural America includes an ambitious and holistic Internet for All initiative to ensure all communities have affordable access to this necessary technology to create businesses, access health care, and expand opportunities for students to learn and thrive.
My Plan to Invest in Rural America: A Public Option for Broadband
I will make sure every home in America has a fiber broadband connection at a price families can afford. That means publicly-owned and operated networks — and no giant Internet service providers running away with taxpayer dollars. My plan will:
FCC Seeks Comment on Eligible Services List for E-Rate Program
The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the proposed eligible services list (ESL) for the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (more commonly known as the E-Rate program) for funding year 2020. The Bureau invites stakeholders to comment on any aspect of the proposed FY2020 ESL.
FCC Should Assess Making Off-School-Premises Access Eligible for Additional Federal Support
This report examines (1) challenges lower-income school-age children who lack in-home fixed internet face in doing homework involving internet access, and (2) selected school district efforts to expand wireless access for students and the federal role in those efforts.
Finding sufficient funding available, FCC directs USAC to fully fund E-rate funding requests
The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announces that there is sufficient funding available to fully meet the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) estimated demand for category one and category two requests for E-Rate supported services for funding year 2019.
The Federal Communications Commission proposes to make permanent the category two budget approach adopted in 2014 (the ‘‘category two’’ budget approach consists of five-year budgets for schools and libraries that provide a maximum amount of funding to support internal connections needed for Wi-Fi within school and library buildings). The Commission also seeks comment on potential modifications that could simplify the category two budget approach and decrease the administrative burden on schools and libraries, as well as how to transition to a permanent extension of the budget approach.
The Federal Communications Commission proposes to make permanent the category two budget approach adopted in 2014 (the ‘‘category two’’ budget approach consists of five-year budgets for schools and libraries that provide a maximum amount of funding to support internal connections needed for Wi-Fi within school and library buildings). The FCC also seeks comment on potential modifications that could simplify the category two budget approach and decrease the administrative burden on schools and libraries, as well as how to transition to a permanent extension of the budget approach.
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