OTI Applauds FCC’s Plan to Raise the E-rate Funding Cap

WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced today that it plans to raise the E-rate funding cap by $1.5 billion to help schools and libraries obtain access to affordable, high-speed Internet service. The announcement comes as the FCC prepares to release a second E-rate Modernization Order, the next step in the reform process that the FCC initiated last year.

The following statement can be attributed to Danielle Kehl, policy analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute:

“Ensuring that schools and libraries have access to robust, affordable connectivity is critical in ensuring that learners of every age have access to world-class, high-speed Internet service. The FCC’s E-rate program provides important support for that connectivity. Given that E-rate funding requests in recent years have been nearly double the actual amount available in the fund, it’s clear that more money is needed to ensure that schools and libraries have the resources necessary to meet current and future connectivity needs. We therefore applaud the FCC for providing much-needed additional support for E-rate, which will go a long way to help schools and libraries who participate in the program. We are glad the FCC has listened to the calls made by hundreds of public interest organizations, tech companies, and schools and libraries themselves and is taking action to put E-rate on solid financial footing for the long term. This is great news for schools and libraries across the country.”

Expert Contact

Danielle Kehl
Policy Analyst, Open Technology Institute, New America
(202) 596-3601
daniellekehl@opentechinstitute.org

Media Contact

Jenny Mallamo
Media Relations, New America
(202) 596-3368
mallamo@newamerica.org