NCEA calls on FCC to increase E-Rate funding

The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase the annual funding levels for the E-Rate program that makes broadband Internet a priority for schools.

“NCEA has supported the modernization of the E-Rate program and FCC efforts to make broadband a priority for all schools,” the NCEA said in a June 23 news release. “However, we are disappointed with the current proposal that will make significant structural changes to the program without raising the annual funding cap.

“Many Catholic school applicants have benefitted from the E-Rate program; however most have not been able to access the internal connection services that would provide broadband access to classrooms since application requests across the country have exceeded available funding every year.

“Without long-term, predictable, sufficient funding there is little impetus to spur greater investment in broadband connections and Wi-Fi and local area networks in school budgeting.

“… Without proper funding our schools that need it most will suffer.”