Funding
Task Force Calls for Congress to Cement USF’s Legal, Financial Foundations
Report advocates modernization as FCC considers retrenchment across major programs
FCC
22 Wisconsin Libraries Warn FCC Against E-Rate Cuts
Changes to the federal broadband subsidy could raise costs and squeeze public services, libraries warn.
USF
Fifth Circuit Judges Probe USF Spending, Administrator
A Fifth Circuit panel heard oral arguments Wednesday in Consumers' Research's latest challenge to the program
FCC
FCC Ponders ‘Large Scale Changes’ to School and Library Broadband Subsidy
Wireline chief discusses updating the program which supports internet access for nearly all U.S. public schools
FCC
Schools, Libraries Fight to Preserve E-Rate in Major Battle at FCC
Advocates urge stakeholders to contact lawmakers as the Republican-led agency considers changes to the $2.5 billion broadband subsidy.
Funding
FCC Clears E-Rate Review, Local Permit Shot Clock Proposal
School and library groups said they were planning to marshal opposition to cutting back E-Rate funding
USF
E-Rate Advocates Want FCC to Reconsider Bidding Portal
SHLB and a consultant that works with participants said they wanted more time to comment on the April order
FCC
Education Groups Urge FCC to Drop Questions About Ending E-Rate
Coalition argues FCC lacks authority to terminate or narrow school and library broadband subsidies
Funding
FCC to Vote on ‘Top-to-Bottom’ E-Rate Review, Local Permitting Shot Clocks at June Meeting
Also on the agenda: subsea cable security licensing, 911 reliability, and emergency alerts.
FCC
FCC Splits On E-Rate Bidding Portal
The proposal passed despite pushback from stakeholders and commissioner Gomez.
Funding
States Map Out Plans for $50 Billion Rural Health Program
An early strategy in North Carolina centers on community-led networks.
USF
Education Groups Opposed to E-Rate Bidding Portal
FCC insists it’s necessary to prevent fraud.
USF
Participants to Fifth Circuit: USF is Still Valid
The fund’s opponents are pursuing another lawsuit against the program.
Broadband Mapping and Data
Accessibility, Consumer Groups Warn Against Scaling Back Broadband Transparency Labels
AARP cautioned the FCC against relying on ISPs’ characterizations of consumer behavior
USF
Consumers’ Research Still Says Portions of Universal Service Fund Unconstitutional
The group argued that two provisions of the Telecom Act cannot stand because otherwise they would give the FCC ‘virtually unbounded authority’
Education and Distance Learning
Educational Broadband Groups Urge Senate Panel to Prioritize EdTech
The coalition’s letter advocates for technology use in schools to improve future job prospects and educational advancement.
