E-Rate in Question: The FCC's New Rulemaking and What's at Stake

Thursday, October 8, 2026
09:50 - 10:50 AM
Room: TBD

The FCC has now advanced a NPRM that seeks broad comment on the future of the E-Rate program, raising foundational questions about its mission, scope, and continued role in supporting connectivity for schools and libraries.  This panel will explore the key issues raised in the FCC’s inquiry and situate them within the broader context of education technology, digital policy, and universal service. Topics include whether E-Rate has fulfilled its original mission and how—if at all—its scope should be adjusted, including questions about limiting support to rural areas or regions with limited provider competition.  The discussion will also examine emerging policy concerns around the role of connected devices in education, including increasing attention to student screen time and its implications for program design and funding priorities. In addition, panelists will address questions raised in the NPRM regarding the interpretation and potential modernization of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as it relates to schools and libraries participating in E-Rate.  Panelists will bring policy, legal, and practitioner perspectives to these questions, including reflections on advocacy and stakeholder engagement in response to the FCC’s proceeding. While the NPRM raises complex and sometimes divergent policy paths, the goal of this session is to provide a clear, grounded discussion of what is at stake and how stakeholders across the education and broadband ecosystem are engaging in the process.  Audience members will be invited to participate in a discussion about how the E-Rate program should evolve in light of changing technology use in schools and ongoing debates about access, safety, and educational outcomes.

2026 AnchorNets Breakout 03

  • Michael McKerley
    VP of Innovations, CTO Zayo
    Speaker
    View Profile
  • Shawn Sutton
    Strategic Account Manager Netsync Network Solutions
    Speaker
    View Profile
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