The following is the introduction to the comments. Download a PDF of the full comments here.
In the past year, the Federal Communications Commission has taken important steps toward updating the E-rate program to meet the 21st century connectivity needs of schools and libraries. As the Commission moves forward with these efforts, we urge it to continue to focus squarely on the goal of connecting all schools and libraries to next-generation broadband networks, which are increasingly necessary in order to meet the educational goals of those institutions. In our initial comments in this round of the proceeding, the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute and Education Policy Program focused on two areas consistent with our previously established priorities: funding high-speed connectivity both to and within schools and libraries, and improving data collection and transparency. These reply comments reiterate the points made in our initial submission, respond to ideas and concerns expressed by other commenters, and distill and tighten our recommendations for how to implement an Upgrade Fund for capital investments and improve overall functionality and transparency within the E-rate program.
