FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Commends the Work of the E-Rate Program

Schools and libraries are digital oases for many families in low-income communities. The FCC's Schools and Libraries Universal Service program, also known as E-Rate, has helped connect millions of students and their neighborhoods to the resources they need. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn made clear just how necessary these connections are in a speech at the Education Technology Policy Summit:

"[The] E-rate program, has been instrumental in providing affordable telecommunications and Internet services to schools and libraries for over a decade."

Through the support provided by E-Rate, "97 percent of American schools have broadband connections and nearly all schools and public libraries now have at least basic Internet access," according to Clyburn. She continued: 

"I firmly believe that we must continue to support the efforts of schools and libraries which play a key role in providing digital connections to those who cannot afford broadband services at home."

"Through broadband, Americans can obtain better educational opportunities, health care can be provided in areas where it currently isn't offered, and energy can be delivered and consumed more efficiently. Broadband is essential for driving innovation and economic growth in our nation."

"The most significant recommendations for making broadband available to all Americans is the ongoing work of the Commission to overhaul the Universal Service Fund to address both the availability of the Internet, as well as the affordability of it for low-income families. However, until we have completed our work on the reforms of the Universal Service Fund, many citizens will continue to rely on two key institutions for Internet access — their local schools and area libraries."

The FCC's E-Rate program illustrates the potential for Universal Service Fund reform to help match increased connectivity in schools with connections in the home. As the pace of the digital world increases, all Americans need to be connected and competitive to keep up with the rest of the world.

Prepared Remarks of FCC Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn, Education Technology Policy Summit 2011