Trump expected to tap Commissioner Pai for FCC Chair
Media sources are reporting that President Trump will nominate current FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai to be the chair of the FCC.
If so, that will mean less time necessary for the new chair to get up to speed on the issues that the new administration will tackle as Pai has served as a commissioner since 2012. He also served in the FCC's Office of General Counsel from 2007 to 2011. He generally believes in a de-regulatory approach to telecommunications.
Based on a speech he gave to the American Enterprise Institute in 2013, Pai might propose significant changes to the E-rate program. It is unclear whether or when E-rate might be reviewed, given the other issues that might be tackled first (for example, net neutrality). However, if Pai becomes chairman and decides to address E-rate issues, here are some of the principles he has espoused in the past for the program:
1. Per-student allocation of funds, much like today's C2 budget.
2. More choice by applicants as to how to spend their funds. That is, the distinctions between C1 and C2 will be removed.
3. More funding for rural and poor schools when compared to urban and wealthier districts.
4. Less paperwork for applicants.
5. Applicants paying more out of pocket. Pai proposed that schools and libraries pay at least paying $1 for each $3 received from the program. So, the top discount would be 75%.
6. Funding for telephone services are not likely to return.
If so, that will mean less time necessary for the new chair to get up to speed on the issues that the new administration will tackle as Pai has served as a commissioner since 2012. He also served in the FCC's Office of General Counsel from 2007 to 2011. He generally believes in a de-regulatory approach to telecommunications.
Based on a speech he gave to the American Enterprise Institute in 2013, Pai might propose significant changes to the E-rate program. It is unclear whether or when E-rate might be reviewed, given the other issues that might be tackled first (for example, net neutrality). However, if Pai becomes chairman and decides to address E-rate issues, here are some of the principles he has espoused in the past for the program:
1. Per-student allocation of funds, much like today's C2 budget.
2. More choice by applicants as to how to spend their funds. That is, the distinctions between C1 and C2 will be removed.
3. More funding for rural and poor schools when compared to urban and wealthier districts.
4. Less paperwork for applicants.
5. Applicants paying more out of pocket. Pai proposed that schools and libraries pay at least paying $1 for each $3 received from the program. So, the top discount would be 75%.
6. Funding for telephone services are not likely to return.
