FCC · Ars Technica
Schools across US protest FCC plan that could disconnect kids from Internet
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Schools and libraries from around the US pleaded with the Federal Communications Commission to drop the idea of ending E-Rate, a $2 billion-a-year program that connects students and library visitors to the Internet.
Key facts
- We estimate our annual Internet cost at approximately $3,120 and our annual E-Rate support at approximately $1,560,” Paul Lapka, the principal of Rock Valley Christian School in Iowa, told the US
- Only 35 percent of Texas public libraries currently receive E-Rate discounts, compared with 65 percent of public libraries nationwide, and only 55 percent meet the Commission’s own recommended
- Given that Republicans have a 2-1 majority on the FCC, whatever Carr proposes is likely to be approved
- Schools and libraries from around the US pleaded with the Federal Communications Commission to drop the idea of ending E-Rate, a $2 billion-a-year program that connects students and library visitors
Summary
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has criticized school districts for having “experimented with a massive increase in screen time for students,” and said E-Rate expanded too far beyond its original purpose of “supporting basic Internet access to schools and libraries for educational purposes.” In June, Carr led a 2-1 vote to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking public comment on whether E-Rate should be “limited or sunset to reflect today’s extensive connectivity rates.” Carr’s proposal could result in E-Rate cutting the discounts that schools and libraries receive for telecom services and equipment, and imposing more restrictions on how E-Rate money can be used.
The Carr FCC already scaled E-Rate back last year by ending funding for schools and libraries to lend out Wi-Fi hotspots and for Wi-Fi service on school buses.