House Dems Ask FCC To Develop Internet In Nation's School And Libraries

As FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski leads the Commission to the reform of the Universal Service Fund, four House Democrats asked that he also concentrate on improving Internet access in the country's schools, libraries and health clinics.

The House members were Doris Matsui  and Anna Eshoo of California, Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Mike Doyle from Pennsylvania, and they urged that some of the $8 billion USF budget help the nation's most economically vulnerable residents access the Internet in the anchor institutions they frequently use. They pinpointed community colleges, four-year colleges, healthcare centers and community media outlets.

In their letter to Chairman Genachowski, they wrote that the FCC, "should consider ways to require broadband providers that receive USF support to build-out broadband networks in rural areas to deploy high-capacity broadband to anchor institutions..."

Genachowski's FCC reform plan already includes moving funding from the traditional landline subsidies to expanding high-speed Internet access. The plan comes up for vote on October 27, 2011.

CWA and Speed Matters have long pressed the FCC to improve connectivity to anchor institutions, especially those which serve low-income families.

Lawmakers urge FCC to improve Internet access in schools, libraries (The Hill, Oct. 17, 2011)