Promoting Broadband for Anchor Institutions
and their Communities
E-rate
Congress authorized the E-rate program as part of the 1996 Telecommunication Act. The FCC created the program to increase access to advanced telecommunications and information services for schools and libraries. Eligible participants include public and most non-profit K-12 schools as well as all public and many private libraries. All program participants must carry out a competitive bidding process to select the most cost-effective companies to provide the goods and/or services requested. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20 percent to 90 percent of the costs of eligible services.
The SHLB Coalition has consistently supported reforms to the E-rate program that shift the focus to high-capacity broadband connections. Several studies document that schools and libraries do not have the affordable, high-capacity broadband connections they need to ensure that students develop technological skills and library patrons can obtain access to essential Internet-based services. We support greater funding for the E-rate program, an increased focus on capital investment, emphasis on affordable rates, increased use of consortia, and giving schools and libraries more options for their broadband services.
SHLB Documents on E-rate Reform 2017-Current
November 2, 2018
To follow up on its Paperwork Reduction Act comments filed with the FCC on July 23, SHLB explains why its proposed changes to FCC Forms 470 and 471 merit further consideration.
October 30, 2018
The SHLB Coalition asks the FCC to continue to suspend the amortization requirement for special construction E-rate applications in FY2019 and thereafter.
July 23, 2018
These comments describe recommendations from members of the SHLB Coalition and the State E-Rate Coordinators Alliance (SECA) to improve FCC Forms 470 and 471.
April 9, 2018
This letter concerns the problematic and inconsistent guidance concerning the drop-down menu and the FY 2018 approach for requesting competitive bids for various Internet access service options.
January 26, 2018
This letter discusses SHLB Members' experience with the processing of fiber special construction requests and offers seven specific recommendations to improve the processing of these complex applications.
November 8, 2017
October 23, 2017
View SHLB E-rate Documents 2010-2016 →
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