Rockefeller Looks To Safeguard Broadband Discounts

Senator Jay Rockefeller is proposing legislation to safeguard federal discounts for broadband Internet provision at schools.

The senator wants to keep the program, called E-rate, exempt from new government regulations, which state that discounts cannot be handed out to schools unless the federal government has the equivalent value as cash in hand. Mr. Rockefeller is making the calls after a report released on Capitol Hill on Wednesday showed that since 1998, the program has paid for about $18.8 billion worth of discounts on internet and communications services for schools.

Joining others who have expressed concerns, Mr. Rockefeller is saying that since the program is based on forecast federal income, a requirement needing money in hand would seriously jeopardize the extent of the program's reach. Paid for by several major telecommunications companies, including AT&T, Verizon and Cox Communications, the report shows Internet access in public school classrooms grew from 14 per cent in 1996 to 95 percent in 2005. In addition, more than 90 per cent of classrooms in rural, high-minority or low-income districts now have Internet access, up from below ten per cent in 1996.

"The types of services and products eligible for E-rate discounts fall into four broad categories. These are telecommunication services, internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance," states Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "Also, if the applicant is requesting service for Internet access or internal connections, the applicant will be required to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act."

For more information on broadband Internet access as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com