DRAFT E-Rate NPRM Released by FCC Seeks Comment on Major Program Changes

The Commission last week released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice) that seeks comment on the future of the E-Rate program, including whether the program is necessary, whether and how funding can be reduced, and how to ensure the program is used for “educational purposes.”  

The Commission will vote on the draft NPRM on June 25.  If the NPRM is adopted, comments will likely be due in the August/September time frame.

At this time, parties have until June 18 to provide feedback to the Commission on the draft NPRM.  Typically, the Commission is more likely to add questions than it is to delete what it has already drafted.