FCC proposes changes to E-Rate program
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued an order and notice of proposed rulemaking that makes and proposes changes to the E-Rate program. The changes include (1) only allowing districts to be reimbursed for the cost of upgrading or replacing internal connections twice every five years; (2) disallowing the transfer of equipment purchased with E-rate funds for three years after receiving the funding; and (3) requiring the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company, which administers E-Rate, to publish a list of eligible service providers by a specific date. The stated purpose of these changes is to make E-rate funds available to more schools and to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. The notice of proposed rule making asks for comments on whether the FCC should change (1) the discount matrix that determines the level of discounts applicants receive; (2) the competitive bidding process; (3) the definitions of “rural area” and “Internet access”; (4) current rules related to wide area networks; and (5) current procedures for recovery of funds.
eSchool News
By Cara Branigan
Full story: http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=4794
[Editor’s Note: The changes described above, and linked below, are just a few of those SLD has initiated. However, many of the changes remain unclear, and some of those applying for E-rate funds are worried about losing out on available funds and even losing their jobs over mistakes made on applications. See below.]
Proposed rules: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/data/pdf/fcc%2003-323.pdf
eSchool News
By Cara Branigan
Full story: http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showstory.cfm?ArticleID=4801