Pai Noncommittal in Answering Senators' Concerns About Possible E-Rate Category 2 Changes
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said he welcomed lawmakers' E-rate input but didn't address their concerns about possible cuts to "category two" funding of internal connections in the school and library USF discount program. With a public notice comment cycle closed,…
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Wireline Bureau staff "is carefully reviewing the submissions," Pai wrote in response to Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and other senators in an exchange posted Friday. "Your views are important and will be considered as the Bureau prepares its report for the Commission," as will "the issues and concerns presented by all stakeholders." Pai noted a previous order mandated the report be done before the funding year 2019 filing window opens next year. The senators' November letter urged him "to protect the E-Rate program and resist any proposal to prematurely modify category two funding."