NPRM on Streamlining Applications for E-Rate Category 2 Gets 4-1 Vote

expire this year (see 1906190019) that replaced a previous approach granting funds to individual schools and libraries two out of five years. The FCC will consider whether to move to a school-districtwide budget application process and a similar library-systemwide one, and how to address logistical challenges if it does. The agency wants comment on whether it needs to find a new way to calculate funding for small, rural schools and libraries. In a statement of partial dissent, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said he "cannot endorse maintaining elements that I have always considered problematic, including the flatly absurd idea" to allocate libraries' E-rate support on a per square foot basis. O'Rielly, partially dissenting, hopes "our next action with respect to E-Rate will be laser-focused on eradicating USF-funded overbuilding" that use Category 1 E-rate funds. Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks issued statements endorsing the NPRM (see 1907080068). "In this rulemaking, the agency seeks to sustain and extend the impact of these Wi-Fi policies for future generations of students and library patrons," Rosenworcel said. Starks doesn't support reverting to the prior funding approach because "the lack of certainty of funding under the prior methodology discouraged schools and libraries from applying for funding for Wi-Fi networks." Comments are due 30 days after Federal Register publication, replies 15 days later. The NPRM was adopted June 28.