The Federal Communications Commission has announced it will conduct a “focused review” of the e-rate program. In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) the agency says the purpose of the review is “to ensure the continued efficient and effective implementation of Congress’s goals as established in the statute, and to explore a variety of suggestions for improvement offered by schools and libraries, service providers, state and local governments, and other interested parties.”
Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association’s Washington Office, noted that this is “the first time there’s been a major review like this of the e-rate program since it began” in 1998. “This is our opportunity to talk about the improvements we feel are important to the program and defend the parts of the program that are working well.”
Sheketoff explained that telecommunications companies have long been urging the FCC to review the e-rate rules. “They want to make changes that will make it easier for them and not necessarily strengthen the program,” she warned.
ALA has hired a telecommunications lawyer to develop the Association’s response, and has scheduled a meeting of technology experts for late February to offer suggestions. However, said Sheketoff, “The important thing is that libraries that participate in the e-rate program should file comments.” Instructions for submitting comments, which are due April 5, are provided in the NPRM. “The more libraries that file,” urged Sheketoff, “the stronger our case will be.”
Posted February 25, 2002.