NATOA Files Reply Comments on E-Rate
Yesterday, NATOA, joined
by the National Association of Counties and the New America Foundation’s Open
Technology Initiative, filed reply comments with the FCC on proposed changes to
the E-Rate program starting in Funding Year 2011. In addition to
prioritizing broadband under the revised program, the FCC has proposed to make
dark fiber leasing eligible for E-Rate funding (including the leasing of dark
fiber from a municipality). Our comments defended the dark fiber proposal
from significant industry attacks that were made in the initial round of
comments. Our comments also followed up on our earlier comments by asking
the FCC to also allow E-Rate funds to be used for lit municipal fiber, so that
schools and libraries are given the maximum amount of options so that they can
choose to spend E-Rate funding in the most efficient, and practical manner for
their specific circumstances.
The full text of the comments is available here.