On June 20, 2014, FCC Chairman Wheeler circulated an E-rate reform proposal to the other Commissioners with the goal of having the Order voted on during the July 11, 2014 Open Meeting. Chairman Wheeler’s proposal calls for phasing out certain legacy services to focus on broadband connectivity and will seek to make the process simpler and more efficient. In order to make the limited dollars go farther, Chairman Wheeler will likely want to see the top discount rate change from 90% to 80% for at least priority two services and would like to see tougher document retention regulations.
Chairman Wheeler wrote in a blog post today, that the “The new plan will make E-Rate dollars go farther by creating processes to drive down prices and increase transparency on how program dollars are spent. And it will simplify the application process for schools and libraries, making the program more efficient while reducing the potential for fraud and abuse….”
Chairman Wheeler’s E-rate Order Fact Sheet can be viewed here.
