FCC upgrades E-Rate program

Commissioner Michael Copps applauded the move to open up unused fiber networks to schools.

“Today we finally straighten out the Commission’s policy on dark fiber. In 2003, over my opposition, the Commission removed dark fiber from the Eligible Services List. That was a mistake,” Copps said. “We repair the mistake in today’s item so applicants can lease dark fiber where available and cost-effective.”

The order also includes a pilot program known as “Learning-On-The-Go”
that would provide students with wireless broadband access for their
devices once they leave school grounds at no additional cost. Commissioner Robert McDowell expressed concern about the cost of such a project.

“I recognize that putting wireless technologies into the hands of students and teachers can be a powerful and exciting way to supplement our education system. Nonetheless, I am concerned that opening up this new spending line item may be far beyond what Congress originally intended when it mandated subsidies for the wiring of schools and libraries to the Internet,” McDowell said.

The president of a trade group that represents the wireless association praised the program as beneficial for students.

“By having access to a wide variety of applications and the ability to use the mobile Internet anytime and anywhere, a student’s learning potential and educational performance can be substantially improved,” said Steve Largent, president of CTIA.