In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted by the Federal Communications Commission in February, the Commission sought comments from E-rate stakeholders on a number of proposed regulatory changes aimed at encouraging greater participation in the E-rate program among Tribal libraries. The initial comment deadline was April 24, 2023, and a number of industry groups and stakeholders provided feedback to the FCC.
In general, commenters were in support of many of the changes proposed in the NPRM, including redefining the eligibility of Tribal college libraries, simplifying the E-rate application for Tribal library applicants, easing cost-allocation requirements, and adding Tribal representation to USAC’s Board of Directors. A joint comment filed by the State E-rate Coordinator’s Alliance, the Consortium for School Networking, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, and the State Educational Technology Directors Association suggested that many of the proposed changes for Tribal libraries would also benefit all E-rate applicants. The joint comment suggested changes to cost-allocation requirements for non-instructional facilities, simplification of the Form 470 by removing Category Two “subcategories,” and elimination or clarification of the “cardinal change bidding procedure.”
Comments to the NPRM may be viewed here:
WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband
National Tribal Telecommunications Association
United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund
The reply comment deadline for the NRPM is May 23, 2023.
