WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 13, 2026) – The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition today filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing its proposal to potentially terminate the E-Rate program or limit it to rural areas only. SHLB’s filing argues that section 254 of the Communications Act gives the FCC no authority to do so, and that the Commission’s questions run directly counter to the goals of universal service and Congress’s directives. SHLB’s filing makes the case that E-Rate, which has provided affordable broadband to schools and libraries for nearly 30 years, remains essential to students, library patrons and the communities they serve. It also argues that ending the program would shift costs onto the institutions least able to absorb them.
“Ending E-Rate won’t make the cost of connectivity go away. It would blow a hole in the budgets of schools and libraries across the country,” said Joey Wender, Executive Director of the SHLB Coalition. “Schools and libraries would have to cover those bills on their own, and for many, that means cutting teachers, counselors, library hours or programs. Cutting E-Rate would also have significant economic impact. In fact, SHLB released an economic report last week that shows terminating the E-Rate program would shrink the U.S. economy by $4.2 billion annually."
In its comments, SHLB states: “While most of the country and world are racing ahead to prepare for the future facing our nation’s citizens and students, the Commission is asking whether it should shelve or significantly reduce the E-Rate program, which is the financial pillar supporting most schools’ and libraries’ digital connections. The statute provides the Commission no authority to do so.”
Today’s filing marks a milestone in a sustained campaign SHLB has led since the FCC first announced its review of the program in June. Its key efforts so far include:
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Commissioning independent economic research, which found that eliminating E-Rate would reduce U.S. real GDP by $4.2 billion annually.
-
Launching SaveOurERate.com, a national advocacy hub that has equipped schools, libraries and their communities to make their voices heard at the FCC and on Capitol Hill.
-
Convening stakeholders at AnchorNets 2026, SHLB’s annual conference, held Oct. 7-9, which featured programming on the FCC’s proposal and its implications for schools and libraries.
The proceeding now moves into its next phase. Reply comments, which give stakeholders the chance to respond to the arguments others have filed, are due Nov. 12, 2026. SHLB will review the record, respond to proposals to eliminate or limit the program, and continue to advocate for improving and strengthening the E-Rate program.
Read SHLB’s full comments here.
Read the Brattle Group report here.
Media Availability
Joey Wender is available for interviews. For more information, visit www.shlb.org or follow @SHLBcoalition on LinkedIn, Facebook or X.
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About SHLB: The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C., and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.
SHLB Coalition Defends E-Rate at FCC, Citing $4.2B Economic Hit From Ending Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 13, 2026) – The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition today filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing its proposal to potentially terminate the E-Rate program or limit it to rural areas only. SHLB’s filing argues that section 254 of the Communications Act gives the FCC no authority to do so, and that the Commission’s questions run directly counter to the goals of universal service and Congress’s directives. SHLB’s filing makes the case that E-Rate, which has provided affordable broadband to schools and libraries for nearly 30 years, remains essential to students, library patrons and the communities they serve. It also argues that ending the program would shift costs onto the institutions least able to absorb them.
“Ending E-Rate won’t make the cost of connectivity go away. It would blow a hole in the budgets of schools and libraries across the country,” said Joey Wender, Executive Director of the SHLB Coalition. “Schools and libraries would have to cover those bills on their own, and for many, that means cutting teachers, counselors, library hours or programs. Cutting E-Rate would also have significant economic impact. In fact, SHLB released an economic report last week that shows terminating the E-Rate program would shrink the U.S. economy by $4.2 billion annually."
In its comments, SHLB states: “While most of the country and world are racing ahead to prepare for the future facing our nation’s citizens and students, the Commission is asking whether it should shelve or significantly reduce the E-Rate program, which is the financial pillar supporting most schools’ and libraries’ digital connections. The statute provides the Commission no authority to do so.”
Today’s filing marks a milestone in a sustained campaign SHLB has led since the FCC first announced its review of the program in June. Its key efforts so far include:
Commissioning independent economic research, which found that eliminating E-Rate would reduce U.S. real GDP by $4.2 billion annually.
Launching SaveOurERate.com, a national advocacy hub that has equipped schools, libraries and their communities to make their voices heard at the FCC and on Capitol Hill.
Convening stakeholders at AnchorNets 2026, SHLB’s annual conference, held Oct. 7-9, which featured programming on the FCC’s proposal and its implications for schools and libraries.
The proceeding now moves into its next phase. Reply comments, which give stakeholders the chance to respond to the arguments others have filed, are due Nov. 12, 2026. SHLB will review the record, respond to proposals to eliminate or limit the program, and continue to advocate for improving and strengthening the E-Rate program.
Read SHLB’s full comments here.
Read the Brattle Group report here.
Media Availability
Joey Wender is available for interviews. For more information, visit www.shlb.org or follow @SHLBcoalition on LinkedIn, Facebook or X.
###
About SHLB: The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C., and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.
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