For Immediate Release, October 13, 2026
Contact: Mike Lynch, NATOA, 617-327-8066, MLynch@NATOA.org
Lani Williams, NATOA, 262-490-7389, LaniWilliams@NATOA.org
NACo, USCM, NATOA & GFOA Comment in the FCC's FNPRM on E-Rate Funded Services, WC Docket No. 26-133
October 13, 2026: On behalf of the national associations representing counties, cities, towns and municipalities, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission in response to the proceedings:
- Ensuring Children’s Safe Use of Screens and E-Rate Funded Services; Modernizing the E-Rate Program for Schools and Libraries, Establishing the Emergency Connectivity Fund to Close the Homework Gap, Promoting Fair and Open Competitive Bidding in the E-Rate Program, WC Docket Nos. 26-133, et al.,
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 26-41 (2026) (Notice and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking).
The association note that “Access to advanced telecommunications equipment and services is an ongoing cost – not a one-time cost – and discounts provided through the E-Rate Program permit entities to afford such services and provide them to students and patrons. Ending the E-Rate Program would prove to have a detrimental effect on institutions’ abilities to continue to afford such services – particularly in rural and lower-income communities.
“The associations therefore support the continuation of the E-Rate Program and urges the Commission to not sunset the program. The E-Rate Program ensures that the connectivity experience in schools and libraries across the country is consistent and designed to meet educational and learning needs.”
Read Comments
NATOA Joint Comments in the FCC's FNPRM on E-Rate Funded Services
For Immediate Release, October 13, 2026
Contact: Mike Lynch, NATOA, 617-327-8066, MLynch@NATOA.org
Lani Williams, NATOA, 262-490-7389, LaniWilliams@NATOA.org
NACo, USCM, NATOA & GFOA Comment in the FCC's FNPRM on E-Rate Funded Services, WC Docket No. 26-133
October 13, 2026: On behalf of the national associations representing counties, cities, towns and municipalities, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission in response to the proceedings:
The association note that “Access to advanced telecommunications equipment and services is an ongoing cost – not a one-time cost – and discounts provided through the E-Rate Program permit entities to afford such services and provide them to students and patrons. Ending the E-Rate Program would prove to have a detrimental effect on institutions’ abilities to continue to afford such services – particularly in rural and lower-income communities.
“The associations therefore support the continuation of the E-Rate Program and urges the Commission to not sunset the program. The E-Rate Program ensures that the connectivity experience in schools and libraries across the country is consistent and designed to meet educational and learning needs.”
Read Comments
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