Memo from NSBA on FCC rulemaking and the E-Rate program
Overview
The FCC announced rulemaking that impacts the E-Rate program. The National School Boards Association (NSBA) encourages the state associations and district board members to file comments or reply comments to the FCC opposing a rule to place a cap on the Universal Service Fund which would negatively impact E-Rate and high-speed broadband access to schools and libraries. Instructions on how to submit comments and/or reply comments are included in a separate document. Comments are due by July 29, 2019 with the reply comment deadline of August 26, 2019.
What is E-Rate and How Does It Operate
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages the schools and libraries universal service support program, commonly known as the E-Rate program. It is one of four programs of the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the direction of the FCC. The four programs under USF include 1) Connect America Fund (formerly known as High-Cost Support) for rural areas; 2) Lifeline for low-income consumers, including initiatives to expand service to residents of Tribal lands; 3) E-rate for schools and libraries; and, 4) Rural Health Care. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 gives the definition of universal service today as including rural health care providers and education related services through schools and libraries. High-speed broadband access to connect with the Internet is one of the focuses of the various programs. See https://www.fcc.gov/general/universal-service-fund Accessed July, 12, 2019.