June 1997
Dear Educator:
On May 7, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an unanimous ruling on Universal Service. For the first time in the history of telecommunications policy schools and libraries will be eligible for universal service support totaling up to $2.25 billion a year. Schools and libraries will be able to receive discounts on telecommunications services, internal connections, and Internet access. The discounts will range from 20-90 percent and about one-third of all schools will be eligible for discounts of 80-90 percent.
This historic opportunity is in large part due to the hard work and leadership exhibited by the Education & Library Networks Coalition (EdLiNC). EdLiNC has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Education in seeking these educational benefits on behalf of all parents, teachers, and students. We will continue to work in partnership with EdLiNC to ensure that schools and libraries effectively avail themselves of these extraordinary opportunities.
Enclosed are two documents to help you better understand the FCC ruling and prepare for using your universal service discount. The first document was produced by the Department of Education and provides a technical analysis of the FCC ruling. The second document is an produced by EdLiNC that provides useful information and identifies resources where you can learn more about universal service support for schools and libraries.
Although the discount payments will not be available from the Fund until January 1, 1998, there are several things you can begin to do to get ready:
- Conduct a needs assessment and take inventory of current technology and capacity in your schools and libraries, if you have not already done so.
- Have an approved plan for using technology to improve teaching, learning and communicating with parents ready for your E-rate application.
- Continue to seek advice and build support to expand the use of technology to strengthen your school and library.
- Budget for implementation.
You can expect to receive additional materials from this Department in the weeks to come. As we learn more, we will share additional information with you.
I look forward to working with you to make universal service for schools and libraries a national success.
Richard W. Riley
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