Edmond, Okla. (Aug. 21, 2008) – Schools and libraries nationwide are preparing for possible changes to the E-rate program for the 2009-2010 school year. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), and the organization seeks public comment on a number of these proposed revisions to the E-rate program. The changes outlined in the NPRM are substantial, and focus on the products and services that the E-rate program supports.

The FCC is seeking public comment on whether costs for items such as Internet content filtering software, anti-virus software, anti-spam software, advanced firewalls, scheduling services, and telephone broadcast messaging should be discounted with the support of E-rate funding.

In addition, the FCC is asking E-rate stakeholders to offer their opinions of changes in several program definitions, such as interconnected VoIP, and basic phone service.

Public comments regarding these changes to the E-rate program must be submitted to the FCC by Sept. 18. Anyone wishing to reply to submitted comments can do so before Oct. 3.

More Information

Visit www.fundsforlearning.com, or phone 405-341-4140.

For a complete summary of the NPRM, visit www.fundsforlearning.com/content/view/1148/89/.

The Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company administers the E-rate program; details available at www.usac.org.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the E-rate program and Funds For Learning, the company has published “E-rate Review: 10 Years and Counting” (PDF, 944KB), a white paper on the success of the E-rate program and its impact on stakeholders.

Other background material: History of the E-rate Program, The E-rate Application Process, and Latest E-rate News.

About Funds For Learning

Funds For Learning, LLC, is an E-rate compliance firm specializing in guiding E-rate applicants and service providers through the complex and ever-changing E-rate regulatory process. With more than 10 years of experience in providing professional advice and assistance relating to the E-rate program, Funds For Learning exists to provide high-quality solutions for the needs of E-rate stakeholders. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Edmond, Okla.

Contacts

Funds For Learning, LLC
Scott Weston
405-471-0953
sweston at fundsforlearning dot com
www.fundsforlearning.com

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Emily Embury
608-839-9800
emily at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com

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