The National Broadband Plan has just been released. The FCC makes several recommendations regarding the E-rate program. Click a link to read more about the recommendation.
- The FCC should adopt its pending Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to remove barriers to off-hours community use of E-rate funded resources.
- The FCC should initiate a rulemaking to set goals for minimum broadband connectivity for schools and libraries and prioritize funds accordingly.
- The FCC should provide E-rate support for internal connections to more schools and libraries.
- The FCC should give schools and libraries more flexibility to purchase the lowest-cost broadband solutions.
- The FCC should initiate a rulemaking to raise the cap on funding for E-rate each year to account for inflation.
- The FCC should initiate a rulemaking to streamline the E-rate application process.
- The FCC should collect and publish more specific, quantifiable and standardized data about applicants’ use of E-rate funds.
- The FCC should work to make overall broadband-related expenses more cost-efficient within the E-rate program.
- Congress should consider amending the Communications Act to help Tribal libraries overcome barriers to E-rate eligibility arising from state laws.
- The FCC should initiate a rulemaking to fund wireless connectivity to portable learning devices. Students and educators should be allowed to take these devices off campus so they can continue learning outside school hours.
- The FCC should award some E-rate funds competitively to programs that best incorporate broadband connectivity into the educational experience.
- Congress should consider providing additional public funds to connect all public community colleges with high-speed broadband and maintain that connectivity.
The full plan can be found at http://www.broadband.gov/.
