Education
eRate Reform, National Public Safety Network FirstNet, Focus of Senate-FCC Oversight Hearing
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013 – At Tuesday’s oversight hearing of the Federal Communications Commission, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., on Tuesday put the focus on the portion of the Universal Service Fund designed to provide connectivity to schools and libraries, as well as on the public safety network described as FirstNet. The Senate and the agency, he said, “need to think big about the future of eRate.”
Touting the success of the eRate in connecting the vast majority of classes to the internet, Rockefeller said it was necessary to continue to ensure that every child has access to the internet – and just how vital the internet is to current education system.
“More than 92 percent of classrooms have Internet access,” he said. “But, as impressive and important as this statistic is, basic internet connectivity is not sufficient to meet our 21st Century educational needs. Digital information and technology will continue to play an increasing role in education, so we need to think about how we are going to meet the broadband infrastructure needs of our schools and libraries.
Additionally, Rockefeller highlighted the importance of FirstNet, the “nationwide interoperable public safety network that our first responders are owed,” In a like fashion, he said that the internet is vital to fulfilling the needs of students around the country. “If every coffee shop in America can offer wireless connectivity, than by-golly every school should as well,” he said.
Put in place by the efforts of Rockefeller and others under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the eRate pays for much of the costs of schools across the country to connect to broadband services.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioner Robert McDowell agreed with Rockefeller that the eRate needed to be updated to fit current needs of schools and libraries around the country. However, McDowell cautioned that while the eRate is important, “we must address contribution reform first.” This contribution reform would address how the revenue is raised for the universal service fund.
The hearing also briefly touched on violence in the media, although little substantive discussion actually took place.
Education
A New Broadband Policy Agenda for Schools, Health and Library ‘Anchor Institutions’

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013 – At Tuesday’s oversight hearing of the Federal Communications Commission, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., on Tuesday put the focus on the portion of the Universal Service Fund designed to provide connectivity to schools and libraries, as well as on the public safety network described as FirstNet. The Senate and the agency, he said, “need to think big about the future of eRate.”
Touting the success of the eRate in connecting the vast majority of classes to the internet, Rockefeller said it was necessary to continue to ensure that every child has access to the internet – and just how vital the internet is to current education system.
“More than 92 percent of classrooms have Internet access,” he said. “But, as impressive and important as this statistic is, basic internet connectivity is not sufficient to meet our 21st Century educational needs. Digital information and technology will continue to play an increasing role in education, so we need to think about how we are going to meet the broadband infrastructure needs of our schools and libraries.
Additionally, Rockefeller highlighted the importance of FirstNet, the “nationwide interoperable public safety network that our first responders are owed,” In a like fashion, he said that the internet is vital to fulfilling the needs of students around the country. “If every coffee shop in America can offer wireless connectivity, than by-golly every school should as well,” he said.
Put in place by the efforts of Rockefeller and others under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the eRate pays for much of the costs of schools across the country to connect to broadband services.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioner Robert McDowell agreed with Rockefeller that the eRate needed to be updated to fit current needs of schools and libraries around the country. However, McDowell cautioned that while the eRate is important, “we must address contribution reform first.” This contribution reform would address how the revenue is raised for the universal service fund.
The hearing also briefly touched on violence in the media, although little substantive discussion actually took place.
Education
How Virtual Learning Is Being Reinvigorated Through Tech, From CES 2021

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013 – At Tuesday’s oversight hearing of the Federal Communications Commission, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., on Tuesday put the focus on the portion of the Universal Service Fund designed to provide connectivity to schools and libraries, as well as on the public safety network described as FirstNet. The Senate and the agency, he said, “need to think big about the future of eRate.”
Touting the success of the eRate in connecting the vast majority of classes to the internet, Rockefeller said it was necessary to continue to ensure that every child has access to the internet – and just how vital the internet is to current education system.
“More than 92 percent of classrooms have Internet access,” he said. “But, as impressive and important as this statistic is, basic internet connectivity is not sufficient to meet our 21st Century educational needs. Digital information and technology will continue to play an increasing role in education, so we need to think about how we are going to meet the broadband infrastructure needs of our schools and libraries.
Additionally, Rockefeller highlighted the importance of FirstNet, the “nationwide interoperable public safety network that our first responders are owed,” In a like fashion, he said that the internet is vital to fulfilling the needs of students around the country. “If every coffee shop in America can offer wireless connectivity, than by-golly every school should as well,” he said.
Put in place by the efforts of Rockefeller and others under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the eRate pays for much of the costs of schools across the country to connect to broadband services.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioner Robert McDowell agreed with Rockefeller that the eRate needed to be updated to fit current needs of schools and libraries around the country. However, McDowell cautioned that while the eRate is important, “we must address contribution reform first.” This contribution reform would address how the revenue is raised for the universal service fund.
The hearing also briefly touched on violence in the media, although little substantive discussion actually took place.
Education
How Educational Institutions and Tech Businesses Are Developing Workforces of the Future

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013 – At Tuesday’s oversight hearing of the Federal Communications Commission, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.V., on Tuesday put the focus on the portion of the Universal Service Fund designed to provide connectivity to schools and libraries, as well as on the public safety network described as FirstNet. The Senate and the agency, he said, “need to think big about the future of eRate.”
Touting the success of the eRate in connecting the vast majority of classes to the internet, Rockefeller said it was necessary to continue to ensure that every child has access to the internet – and just how vital the internet is to current education system.
“More than 92 percent of classrooms have Internet access,” he said. “But, as impressive and important as this statistic is, basic internet connectivity is not sufficient to meet our 21st Century educational needs. Digital information and technology will continue to play an increasing role in education, so we need to think about how we are going to meet the broadband infrastructure needs of our schools and libraries.
Additionally, Rockefeller highlighted the importance of FirstNet, the “nationwide interoperable public safety network that our first responders are owed,” In a like fashion, he said that the internet is vital to fulfilling the needs of students around the country. “If every coffee shop in America can offer wireless connectivity, than by-golly every school should as well,” he said.
Put in place by the efforts of Rockefeller and others under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the eRate pays for much of the costs of schools across the country to connect to broadband services.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioner Robert McDowell agreed with Rockefeller that the eRate needed to be updated to fit current needs of schools and libraries around the country. However, McDowell cautioned that while the eRate is important, “we must address contribution reform first.” This contribution reform would address how the revenue is raised for the universal service fund.
The hearing also briefly touched on violence in the media, although little substantive discussion actually took place.
-
Artificial Intelligence1 month ago
U.S. Special Operations Command Employs AI and Machine Learning to Improve Operations
-
Broadband Roundup2 months ago
Benton on Middle Mile Open Access Networks, CENIC Fiber Route in California, Investors Buying Bitcoin
-
Section 2302 months ago
President Trump’s FCC Nominee Grilled on Section 230 During Senate Confirmation Hearing
-
#broadbandlive4 months ago
Broadband Breakfast Live Online on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 — Case Studies of Transformative 5G Apps in the Enterprise
-
Artificial Intelligence1 week ago
Artificial Intelligence Aims to Enhance Human Capabilities, But Only With Caution and Safeguards
-
Broadband Roundup2 months ago
Trump Signs Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence, How Not to Wreck the FCC, Broadband Performance in Europe
-
5G2 months ago
5G Stands to Impact Industry Before Consumers, Says Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg
-
#broadbandlive4 months ago
Broadband Breakfast Live Online on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 — Champions of Broadband: Sunne McPeak