[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] ALA Responds to FCC Call for Comments on Broadband, E-Rate]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Chapter Councilor

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] ALA Responds to FCC Call for Comments on Broadband, 
E-Rate
Date: 	Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:34:55 -0500
From: 	Michael Dowling <mdowling at ala.org>
To: 	ALACRO-L <alacro-l at ala.org>



WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The American Library Association (ALA) submitted a 
response 
<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/E-Rate-comments.pdf> 
to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) call for comments 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-2376A1.pdf> on 
broadband needs in education including changes to the E-rate program to 
improve broadband deployment.

The E-rate program is nearing the day when it won't be able to fund all 
of the most urgent (Priority One) requests, much less other important 
requests. This financial shortfall is not surprising because the E-rate 
program is currently capped at $2.25 billion per year, unchanged from 
the level at the program's inception in 1997.

ALA urges the FCC to increase the cap to compensate for inflation and to 
provide full support for current library and school needs within the 
original intent of the program -- universal access to advanced 
telecommunications and information services.

"Until the E-rate cap is increased to meet existing needs, the FCC 
should not consider expanding the type of entities or services eligible 
for support," said Dr. Alan Inouye, director of ALA's Office for 
Information Technology Policy (OITP).

Maintaining the flexibility of the current E-rate program is essential 
to meeting the needs of local libraries and schools. The E-rate program 
is already designed to accommodate evolving emphases and technologies -- 
prospective beneficiaries need only to submit applications. Fundamental 
change in the program is unnecessary.

"However, what does need to be changed are the application and 
disbursement processes, which are mind-boggling in their complexity and 
detail," Inouye said.

ALA reaffirms its past support for simplifying the application and 
disbursement processes, which are major deterrents to libraries in 
applying for E-rate discounts.

Finally, the FCC should consider actions to require service providers to 
connect their networks to schools and libraries at speeds that support 
access to advanced services, as authorized under the Telecommunications 
Act of 1996.  Since advanced services to schools and libraries are not 
universally available 12 years after enactment of the Act, ALA concludes 
that targeted, proactive actions should now be undertaken and included 
as an integral component of the National Broadband Plan.

###

 

Contact: Jenni Terry <mailto:jterry at alawash.org>
Press Officer
ALA Washington Office
202-628-8410

 


-- 
Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

503-725-8169
503-725-5799
sagers at pdx.edu

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