Session 82: Getting Right with E-rate

New with E-rate: Pending rulings and comment deadlines.
No two people more in the know than Bob and Deb! Lots of doings at the FCC now with a full complement of 5 commissioners. Pending rulings and comment deadlines.
E-rate topics we'll explore:
Chair Rosenworcel’s “Learn Without Limits” proposal which includes: (1) Using E-rate funds to support lending of wi-fi hotspots to students or patrons who do not have internet access at home; (2) $200 million in E-rate funds for a cybersecurity pilot program. The FCC released the wi-fi lending Notice November 8. (If the Notice on the cybersecurity pilot program is not available by November 16, we can still explain the basics of the proposal based on info the FCC has already released.)
The FCC’s Oct. 19 Ruling making wi-fi on school buses eligible for E-rate funding. This includes the key questions the FCC is asking for comments on. (Comment filing deadline is Nov. 3o.)
The FCC’s July 31 notice on the E-rate eligibility of tribal libraries and its Notice seeking comments on more E-rate reforms. This includes summarizing the comments that were filed by SECA, SHLB, ALA, etc.
Speakers
Bob Bocher: Library Technology Consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Division for Libraries and Technology (the State Library Agency)
Bob Bocher has been working in the area of library technology for over forty years. He retired from full-time work as the Wisconsin State Library's Technology Consultant in 2012, but he still works part-time assisting the state's libraries and schools with their broadband connectivity. From a national perspective, Bob has served on the ALA’s E-rate Task Force since 1999 and is also an ALA Senior Fellow. In this capacity, he assists the association on library broadband issues, including the E-rate. From 2016-2020 Bob served on the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and a Senior Fellow at the American Library Association”
Deborah Kreite: Chairperson of the State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance (SECA)
Debra Kriete has devoted her career to the E-rate program since the enabling legislation was passed in 1996. First serving as a staff attorney to the Universal Service Federal-State Joint Board, the group that initially recommended the framework of the E-rate program to the FCC, she then served as the first legal counsel to the E-rate administrator.
For the past 19 years, Debra has been the South Dakota State E-rate Coordinator helping schools and libraries navigate the E-rate program. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance (SECA), a membership organization of state E-rate coordinators who support and guide schools to E-rate success. SECA also regularly submits comments and recommendations to the FCC and USAC to improve the E-rate program. Debra also serves on the board of the Schools, Health and Libraries Coalition.