1
2010 E-Rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey: 
Report
Federal Communications Commission
Wireline Competition Bureau
DA 10-2414
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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SUMMARY
This report presents data from the 2010 E-rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey
commissioned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and conducted by Harris 
Interactive, Inc. (Harris), an independent national marketing research firm, between February 
and April 2010.   The primary goal of the survey was to collect data on the current state of 
broadband connectivity for E-rate funded schools and libraries and inquire into challenges 
related to broadband use that recipients face now or will face in the future.  This survey will help 
the Commission make policy decisions for the E-rate program by providing information on the 
educational and technological needs of schools and libraries.
Key Findings
· 95% of all E-rate survey respondents have some form of terrestrial broadband connection to 
at least one facility, while 2% use satellite and 3% use dial-up.
· However, nearly 80% of all survey respondents say their broadband connections do not fully 
meet their current needs.
o Slow connection speed is the primary reason current Internet connectivity does 
not meet the needs for 55% of these respondents.
· 39% of E-rate survey respondents cite cost of service as a barrier in meeting their Internet 
needs, and 27% cite cost of installation as a barrier.
· 56% of all E-rate survey respondents expect to implement or expand the use of digital 
textbooks in the next two to three years, and 45% expect to implement or expand the use of 
handheld devices for educational purposes.
· 10% of E-rate survey respondents have broadband speeds of 100 Mbps or greater and most 
(55%) have broadband speeds greater than 3 Mbps.
o More than half of school districts (60%) subscribe to a fiber optic connection.
o 66% of respondents provide some wireless connectivity for staff, students or 
library patrons.
· For schools, e-mail is the most used application (almost all schools, 98%, regularly use or 
access e-mail), and the most essential (69% consider it the most essential).  
· For libraries, online reference materials are both the most used application (86% of staff and 
patrons regularly use or access online reference materials) and the most essential (62% 
consider it the most essential).
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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I. Introduction
The Commission has long recognized the importance of broadband Internet services and their 
critical role in advancing the availability of educational and informational resources.1 The 
Commission recently released an order that, among other things, makes changes to the E-rate 
program intended to ensure that schools can more easily obtain E-rate support for higher 
bandwidth services that will support more advanced applications.2 The data presented in this 
report will further assist the Commission in its mission of promoting access to broadband 
services that meet the instructional and informational needs of schools and libraries.  
This report on the 2010 E-rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey examines the current state 
of the E-rate program as it relates to the advancement of broadband and its educational and 
informational purposes.  The Survey was specifically designed to address broadband adoption 
and usage in the context of the E-rate program and specifically targets recipients of program 
funding.
This report highlights the findings of the 2010 E-rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey in 
three sections.  First, the report examines Internet connectivity in schools and libraries that 
receive E-rate funding.  Next, the report looks at the types of technologies and applications used 
by schools and libraries that receive E-rate funding.  Finally, the report addresses E-rate funded 
services.  The report concludes with a brief summary of the survey methodology, some 
demographics of E-rate funded participants, and a copy of the survey instrument.  Also attached 
is the original survey results presented to the FCC by Harris.
  
1 See, e.g., Development of Nationwide Broadband Data to Evaluate Reasonable and Timely Deployment of 
Advanced Services to All Americans, Improvement of Wireless Broadband Subscribership Data, and Development of 
Data on Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Subscribership, WC Docket No. 07-38, Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, 22 FCC Rcd 7760, at para. 1 (2007) (Broadband Data NPRM); Appropriate Framework for 
Broadband, Access to the Internet over Wireline Facilities, Review of Regulatory Requirements for Incumbent LEC 
Broadband Telecommunications Services, Computer III Further Remand Proceedings:  Bell Operating Company 
Provision of Enhanced Services; 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review – Review of Computer III and ONA Safeguards 
and Requirements, Inquiry Concerning High-Speed Access to the Internet Over Cable and Other Facilities, Internet 
Over Cable Declaratory Ruling, Appropriate Regulatory Treatment for Broadband Access to the Internet Over 
Cable Facilities, Policy Statement, 20 FCC Rcd 14986, 14987, para. 1 (2005); Availability of Advanced 
Telecommunications Capability in the United States, GN Docket No. 04-54, Fourth Report to Congress, 19 FCC 
Rcd 20540, 20572 (2004) (Fourth Section 706 Report).
2 Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, A National Broadband Plan for Our Future, CC 
Docket No. 02-6, GN Docket No. 09-51, Sixth Report and Order, FCC 10-175 (Sep. 28, 2010) (Sixth Report and 
Order).
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II.
III. Internet Connectivity in Schools and Libraries
Ninety-five percent of E-rate entities report having some form of terrestrial broadband 
connection to at least one facility.3 Only 3% of respondents have dial-up access and 2% have 
satellite connections.  Overall, 42% of respondents have fiber optic connections and 14% have 
T3/DS-3 connections.  Though 60% of school districts and 50% of consortia have some fiber 
optic connections, the survey does not reveal how many individual entities within a district or 
consortium have fiber to the premise.  Only 21% of individual school respondents and 13% of 
library respondents have fiber optic connections.  Forty-six percent of urban respondents had 
fiber optic connections compared to 38% of rural respondents. 4
When the two fastest connection categories are combined, nearly half of respondents (49%) 
indicate they have fiber optic or T3/DS-3 connections, while 68% of school districts and 63% of 
consortia have fiber optic or T3/DS-3 connections.5 Only 25% of individual school respondents 
and 19% of library respondents have fiber optic or T3/DS-3 connections.  Fifty-five percent of 
urban respondents had fiber optic or T3/DS-3 connections compared to 45% of rural 
respondents.
Schools and libraries are more likely to have either cable or DSL connections, and among 
schools, private schools are more than twice as likely as public schools to have either cable (31% 
to 16%) or DSL (29% to 16%).
Technologies Providing Internet Connections/Access
Reponses may total more than 100% because entities could mark more than one type of technology
- = Zero percent
Which of the following technologies provide Internet connection/access for your entity?  Check all that apply.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
  
3 95% of E-rate entities report having at least one T1/DS-1, T3/DS-3, fiber optic, cable or DSL connection.
4 Survey respondents were asked to identify whether their entity was considered “urban” or “rural” for the purposes 
of the E-rate program at the time of the survey. Every school or library in the United States is located in either a 
rural or an urban area, based on Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data.
5 Note that respondents could select more than one type of technology on the survey.
T1/DS-1
Fiber 
Optic Wireless DSL Cable T3/DS-3 Dial-Up Satellite Other
Total 51% 42% 36% 21% 20% 14% 3% 2% 3%
School 51% 21% 38% 27% 28% 9% 2% 2% 1%
District 50 60 33 15 14 18 3 2 3
Library 47 13 40 30 29 7 1 2 2
Consortium 65 50 36 21 19 26 8 - 8
Public 53% 55% 34% 16% 16% 18% 3% 2% 3%
Private 43 16 37 31 29 6 2 1 2
Urban 46% 46% 35% 19% 26% 14% 3% 1% 3%
Rural 50 38 35 21 14 12 2 2 2
Urban/Rural 66 51 45 24 25 33 10 2 5
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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Wireless Connectivity6:  Overall, 80% of E-rate survey respondents provide wireless Internet 
access in at least one building, and an additional 12% plan to make it available within the next 
three years.  Two-thirds (66%) of respondents offer access for staff, students and/or patrons and 
another 14% provide access only to staff.  Entities with a 90% E-rate discount rate are most 
likely to have wireless Internet access available.  
Connection Speeds 
The survey asked respondents to indicate which of several speed ranges best described the 
average speed of their connection. 
Average Bandwidth Speed of Internet Connection
Indicate which of the following best describes the average speed of the Internet connection to your entity.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Overall, 48% of entities report experience average speeds under 10 Mbps, 36% experience 
average speeds greater than or equal to 10 Mbps, and 15% don’t know.  Schools (63%) and 
libraries (65%) are more likely than school districts (39%) and consortia (48%) to report average 
speeds under 10 Mbps.  Only 14% of private schools report speeds greater than or equal to 10 
Mbps compared to 48% of public schools.  
Rural recipients are also more likely to report slower speeds.  While 32% of rural entities report 
average speeds greater than or equal to 10 Mbps, 41% of urban entities and 39% of entities 
serving both urban and rural areas report these speeds.  
The survey also asked respondents to indicate which range best described the minimum 
bandwidth speed needed to adequately meet the educational objectives of their entity.
  
6 The survey asked “Which of the following technologies provide Internet connection/access for your entity?” and 
allowed respondents to choose as many technologies as apply, including “wireless”. Respondents who chose 
“wireless” may be including both fixed wireless service like WiMAX or to an internal WiFi network.
? 100 mbps 10%
? 25 mbps to < 100 mbps 12%
? 10 mbps to < 25 mbps 14%
? 6 mbps to < 10 mbps 8%
? 3 mbps to < 6 mbps 11%
? 1.5 mbps to < 3 mbps 17%
? 768 kbps to < 1.5 mbps 9%
? 200 kbps to < 768 kbps 3%
Don’t know 15%
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Maximum Bandwidth Speed Needed
In your opinion, what is the minimum bandwidth speed needed to adequately meet the educational objectives 
of your entity?
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Rural entities are also less likely to indicate that they need speeds in excess of 10 Mbps to 
adequately meet their educational objectives.  One possible explanation is that they are serving 
fewer students or patrons.  Though 46% of all entities believe they need a minimum bandwidth 
speed of at least 10 Mbps, only 42% of rural entities believe this to be true.   
Bandwidth Speed of Internet Connection by Recipient Type
Indicate which of the following best describes the average speed of the Internet connection to your entity.  In 
your opinion, what is the minimum bandwidth speed needed to adequately meet the educational objectives of 
your entity?
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Comparing responses to the two questions about average speed and minimum speed needed 
suggests that about 36% of E-rate entities believe they have the correct connection speed and 
about the same percentage, 38%, believe their connection speed is inadequate.  Only 6% believe 
their current connections are more than adequate and 20% do not know. There is relatively little 
variation on this point across geographies, but school districts and consortiums are more likely to 
report their connections are adequate than individual schools or libraries. 
? 100 mbps 18%
? 25 mbps to < 100 mbps 14%
? 10 mbps to < 25 mbps 14%
? 6 mbps to < 10 mbps 10%
? 3 mbps to < 6 mbps 11%
? 1.5 mbps to < 3 mbps 9%
? 768 kbps to < 1.5 mbps 4%
? 200 kbps to < 768 kbps 2%
Don’t know 18%
Average Bandwidth Speed Minimum Bandwidth Speed
< 10 Mbps ?10 Mbps Don't Know < 10 Mbps ?10 Mbps Don't Know
Total 48% 36% 15% 36% 46% 18%
School 63% 12% 25% 51% 23% 26%
District 39 52 9 26 63 11
Library 65 14 20 44 23 33
Consortium 48 48 5 38 54 8
Public 43% 48% 9% 31% 57% 12%
Private 58 14 30 48 22 31
Urban 44% 41% 15% 34% 52% 15%
Rural 54 32 14 39 42 19
Urban/Rural 47 39 14 26 48 26
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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Bandwidth Adequacy Based on Comparison of Average and Minimum Speeds
Based on your current usage and educational objectives, please indicate whether the current Internet connection for your entity is 
inadequate, correct, more than adequate or you don’t know. 
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060) 
Satisfaction with Current Connectivity
Survey respondents were also asked directly whether their current Internet connection meets 
their needs based on current usage and educational objectives. Using this scale, 22% said their 
connection speeds completely meet their needs.  Just over half (58%) said their connection 
mostly meets their needs while 16% believe their current connections sometimes meets their 
needs, 3% believe connections rarely meets their needs and 1% believe connection does not meet 
their needs at all.
Most Recipients Desire More Bandwidth 
* = Less than 1%
- = Zero percent
Based on your current usage and educational objectives, please indicate how the current Internet connection for 
your entity meets your needs.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Among entities that said their current Internet connection does not meet their needs, 55% cited 
slow connection speeds as one of the primary reasons. Thirty-seven percent of entities chose 
lack of capacity to serve multiple users and close to three in 10 (29%) were unsatisfied because 
their wireless networks cannot provide coverage to all school or library facilities.
Completely meets your needs 22%
Mostly meets your needs 58
Sometimes meets your needs 16
Rarely meets your needs 3
Does not meet your needs at all 1
Don't know 1
Correct Adequate
Total 38% 36% 6% 20%
School 37% 32% 3% 28%
School District 40 40 8 12
Library 34 28 3 35
Consortium 33 50 8 8
Urban 40% 37% 6% 18%
Rural 37 37 6 21
Urban/Rural 36 34 4 26
Inadequate
More than 
Don't Know
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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Reasons Internet Does Not Meet Needs by Entity Type
What is the primary reason that the current Internet connection does not meet some or all of your needs?  
Check all that apply.
Base: Current Internet Connection Does Not Completely Meet Needs (n = 825)
The survey also asked respondents about common instructional uses of broadband. Nearly all 
indicated that their connectivity mostly or completely meets their e-mail needs (95%).  A 
majority say their connectivity completely meets their e-mail needs, and additional 38% say it 
mostly meets their needs. Most entities (88%) report that their connectivity completely (35%) or 
mostly (53%) meets web browsing and Internet research needs.  
Specific Needs Met by Current Connectivity
Specifically, please indicate whether the current Internet connectivity for your entity Completely Meets, Mostly Meets, 
Sometimes Meets, Rarely Meets or Does Not Meet At All your needs for each of the following.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060) 
Recipients are much less likely to believe their connectivity meets their video needs.  Only 11% 
say that that their current connection completely meets their streaming video needs and even 
fewer (10%) report that their connections completely meet their video-conferencing needs. This 
question only refers to the bandwidth to the premises, not internal wiring or other network 
factors that may affect the actual experience in the classroom or office. As more applications 
have a video component, schools and libraries will likely need additional bandwidth to take 
advantage of the full range of educational options available.
All Entities School District Library Consortium
Connection speed too slow 55% 54% 54% 62% 59%
Lack of capacity to serve multiple 
users 37 38 39 31 44
Wireless networks cannot provide
coverage to all facilities 29 30 35 11 17
Inadequate internal wiring 
and connections 25 21 28 25 22
Frequent interruptions of service 13 15 11 18 15
Other 11 9 11 11 18
10%
14%
17%
19%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
57%
26% 47%
23%
Web browsing and
Internet research 35% 53%
49%
Email
Learning applications, 
such as educational games,
homework and tutoring
Electronic databases
20%Online testing and assessment applications 44%
3%38%
Sometimes meetsMostly meetsCompletely meetsCompletely meets
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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Specific Entity Needs Not Met by Current Connectivity
More specifically, please indicate whether the current Internet connectivity for your entity Completely Meets, Mostly Meets, 
Sometimes Meets, Rarely Meets or Does Not Meet At All your needs for each of the following.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Issues Preventing Recipients from Obtaining or Using Internet Access Necessary to Meet Needs 
The survey asked respondents what issues prevent them from obtaining and using the Internet 
access necessary to meet their needs. 
Issues Preventing Entities from Obtaining/Using Internet Access Necessary to Meet Needs
Do any of the following issues prevent your entity from obtaining and using the high-speed, broadband Internet access that you think is necessary 
to meet your entity’s needs?  If so, check all that apply. Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Service
Cost
Install
Cost
Outdated
Equipment
Inadequate 
LAN
Internal 
networks 
and wiring
Physical 
structure/ 
building 
layout
Broadband 
not available
Lack of 
training/ 
technical 
support
Frequent 
outages 
and down 
time Other
No 
barriers
Total 39% 27% 26% 16% 15% 15% 10% 5% 4% 25%
90% discount rate 28% 25% 29% 11% 16% 11% 14% 5% 4% 28%
80 - 89% 38 29 29 16 13 19 12 6 3 24
70 - 79% 45 30 26 18 15 15 11 4 5 25
60 - 69% 40 32 28 24 18 17 11 6 4 24
50 - 59% 42 26 23 12 14 15 6 4 5 22
20 - 49% 47 20 24 15 15 9 7 5 2 27
School 37% 28% 31% 14% 17% 8% 10% 6% 2% 27%
School District 40 24 24 17 14 16 10 4 5 26
Library 42 35 24 13 16 21 11 6 6 20
Consortium 45 47 32 24 13 14 7 5 5 16
Urban 43% 27% 27% 15% 16% 10% 9% 5% 4% 28%
Rural 35 27 25 17 15 20 10 5 4 24
Urban/Rural 47 37 37 21 12 13 16 7 5 17
15%
27%
7%
17%
5%
8%
7%10%
11%
80 9070
4%
958540 6050
Video conferencing 10% 21%
Voice over IP service 13% 41%
Streaming video 6% 7%
300 10 20 100
Online learning management
systems (e.g. Blackboard)
2% 11% 20%
5
32%
15
16%
32%11%
3%17%11%
25%10%
25 35 45 55 65 75
Rarely meetsRarely meetsSometimes meetsMostly meetsCompletely meets
Does not meet at all Don’t know/not sure Don’t have this need
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· 39% of all respondents cited cost of service as preventing them from obtaining and using the 
Internet access necessary to meet their needs.
o 35% of respondents in rural areas noted that cost of service is a barrier, while 
43% of recipients in urban areas cited cost of service as a barrier.  
· 27% of all respondents cited the cost of installation as a barrier.  
o 37% of rural respondents say installation costs are a barrier, while only 27% of 
urban districts cited cost of installation as a barrier.
Rural respondents are also more likely to report lack of availability of broadband (20% compared 
with 10% of urban entities).  Only 11% of respondents at the 90% E-rate discount level and 9% 
of respondents in the 20-49% E-rate discount range cite lack of availability as a barrier, which is 
slightly below the overall average of 15%.  Survey respondents in higher E-rate discount ranges 
are more likely than others to have problems with lack of training or technical support. 
Approximately one-quarter (26%) of entities cited outdated computers and equipment as an 
issue.  On average, 25% of respondents report that there are no specific issues preventing them 
from obtaining or using Internet access necessary to meet their needs.
Areas of Technology and Infrastructure Needing Improvement
Respondents highlighted the following areas of technology infrastructure as needing the most 
improvement in the next two years (respondents were allowed to select up to three areas):
· 57% cited computers and desktop equipment
· 42% cited server hardware, operating systems and storage solutions 
· 38% said their staff will need more training and support
· 28% cited local area network (LAN) equipment
· 16% cited LAN (internal wiring) in general
· 19% cited wide area network (WAN) equipment such as routers and switches 
· 14% cited WAN circuits
Areas of Technology Infrastructure Needing Improvement
Which areas of your entity’s technology infrastructure need the most improvement during the next two years?  Please select up to 
three.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
All School District Library Consort. Urban Rural
Urban/
Rural
Computers and desktop equipment 57% 69% 50% 62% 42% 58% 57% 45%
Server hardware, operating systems
and storage solutions 42 42 45 35 28 48 37 44
Staff training and support 38 41 35 42 28 37 40 18
Technical support staff capacity
and knowledge 32 27 34 34 27 32 31 41
LAN equipment (switches, hubs) 28 26 31 19 25 26 30 27
Server software applications (e.g.,
increasing the number of user
access licenses for software) 19 21 18 20 16 17 20 23
WAN equipment (routers, switches) 19 11 23 14 35 21 17 27
Local Area Network (LAN) internal
wiring 16 17 16 17 11 15 17 14
Wide Area Network (WAN) circuits 14 6 18 12 36 12 15 28
Content management systems 11 10 11 9 18 14 8 19
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Recipients without dedicated information technology (IT) staff may be less able to adequately 
plan for their IT needs.  Many non-IT staffers responsible for the E-rate program are not familiar 
with their entity’s Internet connection speed.  Overall, about 15% of respondents didn’t know the 
average speed of their connection, and 18% could not identify the minimum speed needed to 
adequately meet educational objectives.  However, only 3% of IT staff respondents did not know 
this information.  In contrast, 45% of the school principals surveyed did not know the average 
speed, and 48% did not know the minimum speed needed.  This finding could suggest that non-
IT professionals making decisions regarding the purchase of broadband connections may have 
difficulty determining what bandwidth they need to purchase.
Don’t Know Bandwidth Speed by Job Responsibility
Indicate which of the following best describes the average speed of the Internet connection to your entity.  In 
your opinion, what is the minimum bandwidth speed needed to adequately meet the educational objectives of 
your entity?
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Other school district administration staff 24%20%
School principal 48%45%
School district superintendent 22%19%
Teaching staff 7%7%
Library administrator or staff 35%22%
IT Staff 3%3%
All 18%15%
Consultant 9%13%
Minimum Needed
Average
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IV. Technology Use by Schools and Libraries
Computers in Schools
At least 90% of entities receiving funding for at least one school have computers available for 
students.  The mean student-to-computer ratio among E-rate survey respondents that receive 
funding for at least one school is 5.86 to 1 and the median is almost half of that, 3 to 1.  Among 
entities receiving funding for at least one school:
· 3% of schools have a student to computer ratio of 1:1 
· 51% have a student to computer ratio of 2-3:1
· 76% have a student to computer ratio of 5:1 or lower
· 4% have a student to computer ratio of 10:1 or greater
Close to 30% of entities receiving funding for at least one school allow students to bring laptops 
to school to use the school’s Wi-Fi at least during certain times, but over half (54%) of the 
respondents never allow students to use laptops to access the school’s Wi-Fi.
Are students allowed to bring a laptop to your school or 
school district to utilize the school’s/district’s Wi-Fi?
Are students allowed to bring a laptop to your school or in your school district 
to utilize the school or school district’s Wi-Fi?
Base: Entities receiving funding for at least one school (n = 898) 
Wireless Applications in Schools and Libraries
Almost all (98%) entities with wireless Internet have staff, students or patrons using a laptop, 
netbook or personal computer for wireless access.  Forty-three percent of respondents have staff, 
students or patrons that use smartphones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) for wireless 
access, and 25% report individuals using tablet personal computers.  One in 10 respondents state 
that staff, students or patrons are using digital books or wireless reading devices such as a 
Kindle.  
5%
19%
54%
10%
12%
Don’t know
No
Only during certain times
Yes
Do not have Wi -Fi
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Wireless Internet Availability at Entities Receiving E-Rate Funding
* = Less than 1%
What is the current availability of wireless Internet access provided by your entity?
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Handheld Devices in Schools and Libraries
Half (50%) of E-rate survey respondents currently use handheld devices such as PDAs, 
smartphones or cell phones for administrative purposes, and another 31% plan to start doing so 
over the next 2 to 3 years.  Though less than 20% of respondents currently use such devices for 
academic or educational purposes, 45% plan to start within the next 2 to 3 years.  If respondents 
follow through with their current plans, 60% of schools and 74% of school districts may use 
handheld devices for academic/educational purposes within 3 years.  
Current and Planned Use of Cell Phones and Handheld Devices by Entities 
Receiving E-Rate Funding
Which of the following applications does your entity already use or do you believe that your entity will 
implement or expand over the next two to three years?  Check all that apply.  If none apply, select None of the 
Above.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Available for
staff and 
students
or patrons
Available for 
staff only
Not available, 
plan to make
it available 
within 3 years
Not available, 
no plans to 
make it 
available
Don't 
know
Total 66% 14% 12% 6% 2%
90% 77% 9% 6% 6% 1%
80 - 89% 70 11 12 7 *   
70 - 79% 60 17 13 6 4
60 - 69% 62 16 12 7 3
50 - 59% 66 17 16 2 *   
20 - 49% 62 17 10 9 2
School 65% 17% 9% 8% 2%
School District 60 16 15 6 2
Library 90 1 4 4 1
Consortium 60 20 7 4 9
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
ConsortiumLibraryDistrictSchoolAll
50%
27%
19%
36%
19% 14%
63%
31% 24% 23% 20%
11%
66%
43%
22%
31%
32% 45%
38%
31% 46%
29%
34% 50%
23%
25%
23%
34%
41%
60%
Handheld for academic/educational purposes
Cell phones to access the Internet
Handheld for administrative purposes
Plan to use in 2 -3 years
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Applications Currently Used by Schools and Libraries
Almost every school (98%) regularly accesses and uses e-mail, and four out of five (80%) report 
students using online applications  in the classroom, educators using online instructional 
planning materials and curriculum resources, and educators using online school and student 
assessment data and results.  
Regularly Used or Accessed Applications Online by School Type
Please tell us whether your students, teachers and school administrative staff regularly use or access these applications online, and, if not, when 
does your entity anticipate making these resources available?
Base: All Schools (n = 898)
Seven in 10 schools consider e-mail an essential application.  It is the most used and most often 
considered essential application by a wide margin.  Respondents said applications for students 
are second in importance.  Just over 40% of schools consider applications that students use in 
classrooms and school and student assessment data as essential online applications.  Three in 10 
rate online testing or instructional planning and curriculum material as essential.
Most Essential Applications (Schools)
Of the following resources or applications listed below, which do you consider most essential to the operation 
of your school or school district.  Please select up to three.  
Base: All Schools (n = 898)
All School
School
District Consortium One School
More
than one
E-mail 98% 97% 98% 98% 97% 98%
Online applications that students use in the classroom 80 78 82 77 78 83
Instructional planning materials and curriculum resources 79 79 79 71 77 81
School and student assessment data and results 78 67 84 75 62 87
Online testing and assessment applications 69 55 76 61 55 77
Professional development courses 59 57 59 58 54 61
Digital library or museum collections, including online
subscriptions to periodicals and other primary resources 58 42 66 62 45 66
Distance learning or video conferencing 50 28 61 68 31 60
Online learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard) 46 39 50 50 37 52
Electronic textbooks 19 18 20 22 18 19
Digital library or museum
collections 13%
Online learning management
systems (e.g., Blackboard) 14%
Professional development courses 14%
Distance learning or video
conferencing 18%
Instructional planning and 
curriculum development 30%
Online testing and assessment 31%
Online applications that students 
use in the classroom 42%
School and student assessment
data and results 43%
E-mail 69%
Electronic textbooks 7%
Other 2%
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The most common online application – and the most essential – for library respondents was 
online reference materials.  Libraries also reported making online homework and job search, 
resume builders or job applications available for their patrons.  About 40% of all respondents 
that include at least one library consider job resource material to be an essential application, and 
41% consider homework resources essential, but a majority of respondents who offer each of 
those types of applications consider them essential.  
Regularly Used or Accessed Applications Online by Library Type
Please indicate whether the library’s staff or patrons regularly use or access these applications online, and, if not, when does 
your entity anticipate making these resources available? 
Base: All libraries (n = 290)
Most Essential Applications by Library Type
Of the following resources or applications listed below, which do you consider most essential to the operation of your library? Please select up 
to three.  
BASE: All libraries (n = 290)
All One libraryonly More thanone library
At least one
school / one
library
Reference materials 86% 82% 93% 88%
Homework resources 74 73 75 74
Online job search, resume builders or job application filing 70 84 83 54
Audio content (music, audio books, etc.) 64 65 74 60
Licensed databases, such as Lexis/Nexis and other online
subsciptions 62 61 84 56
Video content (e.g., streaming video, video clips, etc.) 62 57 55 69
Online instructional courses and tutorials, such as practice
exams for the GED or other certification exams 58 56 78 52
E-books 39 37 62 32
Digital special collections (e.g. letters, postcards, 
documents, etc.) 38 31 48 41
Video conferencing 28 15 16 45
All
One library
only
More than
one library
At least one
school / one
library
Reference materials 62% 52% 55% 74%
Homework resources 46 74 68 12
Online job search, resume builders or job application filing 41 40 33 46
Audio content (music, audio books, etc.) 40 34 64 38
Licensed databases, such as Lexis/Nexis and other online
subsciptions 32 37 35 27
Video content (e.g., streaming video, video clips, etc.) 20 11 8 33
Online instructional courses and tutorials, such as practice
exams for the GED or other certification exams 13 4 14 21
E-books 11 15 10 8
Digital special collections (e.g. letters, postcards, 
documents, etc.) 8 5 3 12
Video conferencing 5 4 5 7
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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V. E-rate Funded Services
Survey respondents were asked to report on the services for which they received E-rate funding 
in FY 2008. Most telecommunications funding (61%) goes towards landline telephone service,7
25% goes to digital transmission, and 10% goes to cell phone service.  Libraries prioritize 
landline telephone service more than other entities, with libraries reporting 76% of 
telecommunications funding used for landline telephone service and only 2% used for cell phone 
service.
Percentage of Funding for Specific 
Telecommunications Services
Percentage of Funding for Specific Internet Access 
Services
61%
0%
1%
1%
11%
25%
1%
Paging services
PBX Systems
Interconnected VoIP
Cell phone service
Digital transmission
Landline telephone service
Other services
6% 39%
2%5%
6%
12%
27%
1%
0%
2%
E-mail
Wireless Internet access
Web hosting
Cable modem
DSL
Fiber
Other wireline technologies
(T-1, etc)
Interconnected VoIP
Dial-up Internet Service
Other services
Top Telecommunications Services Top Internet Access Services
School District Library Consort.
Landline telephone 67% 56% 76% 51%
Digital transmission 18 28 20 36
Cell phone service 12 12 2 11
School District Library Consort.
Other wireline technologies 39% 39% 36% 41%
DSL 22 37 35 39
Cable modem 16 7 11 8
Approximately what percentage of your FY 2008 E-rate funding for 
telecommunications services went to the following services? Base: All 
entities receiving telecommunications services funding (n = 757)
Approximately what percentage of your FY 2008 E-rate funding for 
Internet access went to the following services? Base: All Entities 
Receiving Internet Access Funding (n =582)
Respondents use a wide variety of services for Internet access:
· 39% is spent on “other” wireline technologies, including T-1
· 39% is spent on Fiber (27%) or DSL (12%)
· 6% is spent on cable modem
The majority of the average internal connection funding (55%), which are the components that 
transport information to classrooms and public areas in libraries, is for services other than 
servers, software and software licenses.  Just over one-third (35%) of this funding goes to servers 
(including installation and related charges), and 10% goes to software and software licenses. 
By a wide margin, Internet access and landline telephone services are considered the most 
critical services funded under the E-rate program.  
· 78% of all respondents consider Internet access critical
  
7 For purposes of the E-rate program, services selected under the telecommunications service category include not 
only basic telephone service, but also include T-1s, T-3s, and fractional T-1s; fiber optics; digital transmission 
services, including DSL, Ethernet, frame relay services, and integrated services digital network (ISDN); satellite 
service; and wireless service.
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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· 72% cite landline telephone service as critical 
Libraries are more likely to identify E-rate funded landline telephone service as their most 
critical service while schools and consortia are more likely to identify Internet access.  Eighty-
one percent of libraries consider landline telephone service as critical compared to 65% of 
libraries that say that E-rate funding for Internet access is critical.  In contrast, 81% of schools 
and 88% of consortia believe Internet access is critical compared to only 63% and 47% 
respectively that say landline telephone service is critical.  School districts consider both services 
critical with a slight emphasis on Internet access, 79% to 75%.  
Most critical services currently funded under E-Rate
What are the most critical services for your school, school district, or library that is currently funded under the E-rate program? Please select 
up to three.
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
Overall, about one in six consider internal connections (16%) and basic maintenance of internal 
connections (15%) critical, but entities with a 90% discount rate are more likely to emphasize the
importance of internal connections.  Among entities with a 90% discount rate:
· 49% say basic maintenance of internal connections is critical.
· 36% say internal connections are critical.
Most survey respondents indicated that they did not receive E-rate funding for internal 
connections (67%) or basic maintenance of internal connections (65%).  Of those respondents 
that could identify the amount of E-rate funding received, the amount was generally $10,000 or 
more for internal connections, and $5,000 or more for basic maintenance of internal connections.
Internet
access
Landline
telephone
High speed
circuits for
WANs
Cell phone
service E-mail
Internal
connections
Basic
maintenance
of internal
connections
Web
hosting
Total 78% 72% 34% 23% 18% 16% 15% 9%
90% 79% 51% 24% 15% 21% 36% 49% 6%
80 - 89% 73 74 34 25 19 22 16 8
70 - 79% 77 72 43 20 17 16 6 11
60 - 69% 78 81 37 25 18 8 6 9
50 - 59% 76 76 35 26 14 10 9 10
20 - 49% 87 73 29 28 19 5 7 9
School 81% 63% 18% 23% 25% 18% 23% 8%
School District 79 75 45 21 15 17 13 11
Library 65 81 20 27 15 9 6 3
Consortium 88 47 45 12 17 18 17 4
Urban 81% 67% 34% 23% 17% 17% 19% 10%
Rural 74 76 34 22 16 16 12 8
Urban/Rural 86 71 42 29 13 13 7 6
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Amount of Funding for Internal Connections Amount of Funding for Basic Maintenance of Internal 
Connections
What is the total amount of E-rate funding your entity has received 
or expects to receive for the following services in Funding Year 
2008? Internal Connections
Base: All entities (n = 1,060)
What is the total amount of E-rate funding your entity has received or 
expects to receive for the following services in Funding Year 2008? Basic 
maintenance of internal connections
Base: All Entities (n = 1,060)
25%
67%1%
6%
< $10,000
Nothing
Don’t know
$10,000 or more
25%
65%
1%
9%
< $5,000
Nothing
Don’t know
$5,000 or more
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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About the Survey
The 2010 E-rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey was conducted by Harris Interactive, 
Inc. (Harris), from February 25 to April 5, 2010.  USAC provided Harris with a list of all 22,819 
E-rate recipients from funding year 2008.  Harris surveyed a sample of 5,000 recipients of 
funding from 2008 and received completed surveys from 1,060 E-rate recipients.  Sample 
recipients were sent an invitation via e-mail, sent five reminder e-mails and called twice to 
participate in the online survey.  For responses based on the online survey, the margin of error is 
+/- 2.9% at the 95% confidence level.
Online survey results were weighted by entity type and urban-rural definition to reflect the 
proportion of urban schools, rural schools, urban school districts, rural school districts, libraries 
and school-library consortiums in the USAC recipient list.  On April 26 and 27, 2010, Harris 
conducted telephone follow-up interviews with 100 E-rate recipients who did not answer the 
online survey.  The telephone survey was approximately five minutes long and did not include 
all questions contained in the online survey.
According to the survey, the mean number of students served by all applicants who fund school 
projects is 8,090.  However, many E-rate applications include smaller schools, resulting in a 
median of 935 students per applicant.  Overall, 69% of all applicants have less than 2,500 
students enrolled in their school or district.  Because of the inclusion of consortia, the mean and 
median for all applicants that fund school projects is significantly higher than the mean and 
median for individual schools and school districts:
· The mean number of students at schools surveyed is 1,650, and the median is 300.
· The mean number of students at school districts surveyed is 6,601, and the median is 1,700.
· The mean number of students at consortia surveyed is 120,321, and the median is 9,428.
Similarly, based on responses from applicants who knew information about the size of their 
service areas, the mean number of people living in areas served by libraries receiving funding is 
75,978, but the median is significantly lower at 8,886. 
Number of Students Number of Registered Borrowers/
People in Library Service Area
How many students are currently enrolled at your school or in your 
school district?
Base: Entities receiving funding for at least one school 
(n = 898)
How many registered borrowers are/people live in the service 
area currently served by the branch library or library system 
receiving E-rate funding?
Base: Entities receiving funding for at least one library (n=290)
Don’t know 2%
> 5,000 17%
2,500 - 4,999 12%
1,000 - 2,499 18%
750 - 999 7%
500 - 749 10%
250 - 499 15%
100 - 249 14%
< 100% 5%
4%
> 50,000 9%
Don’t know 32%
8%
< 1,000
1,000 - 4,999
5,000 - 9,999
21%
8%
18%
14%
8%
11%
10,000 - 24,999 9%
25,000 - 49,999 9%
14%
37%
Registered Borrowers
Live in Service Area
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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SURVEY QUESTIONS
1. Which “applicant type” do you generally select on your E-rate application?
1. School 
2. School district
3. Library
4. Consortium
5. Don’t know/never applied (TERMINATE)
2. Did you receive E-rate funding for Funding Year 2008 (7/1/2008 – 6/30/2009) to support 
projects at:
1. One school, but no libraries (Go to Q3)
2. More than one school, but no libraries (Go to Q3)
3. One library, but no schools (Go to Q5)
4. More than one library, but no schools (Go to Q5)
5. At least one school and at least one library (Go to Q3)
6. None of the above (TERMINATE)
3. Was the school(s) that received E-rate funding in Funding Year 2008 public or private?
1. Public, including charter schools
2. Private
3. Don’t know
4. Was the school(s) that received E-rate funding in Funding Year 2008…? Check all that 
apply.
1. Pre-school 
2. Elementary school, including kindergarten
3. Middle school or junior high
4. High school
5. Don’t know
5. Which of the following best describes your primary job responsibility?
1. Information technology staff
2. Library administrator or staff
3. Teaching staff
4. School district superintendent 
5. School principal
6. Other school district administration staff
7. Consultant
8. None of the above (TERMINATE)
Now, we have some questions about the technology available at your entity (i.e., school, school 
district and/or library) and your entity’s use of that technology. For these questions, please 
specifically answer about the entities that have received E-rate funding in Funding Year 2008.  
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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6. Which of the following technologies provide Internet connection/access for your entity? 
Check all that apply.
1. Dial-up
2. T1/DS-1
3. T3/DS-3
4. Fiber optic
5. Cable
6. DSL
7. Satellite
8. Wireless
9. Other
10. Don’t know
7. Indicate which of the following best describes the average speed of the Internet 
connection to your entity. 
1. Greater than 200 Kbps to less than 768 Kbps
2. Greater than or equal to 768 Kbps to less than 1.5 Mbps
3. Greater than or equal to 1.5 Mbps to less than 3 Mbps
4. Greater than or equal to 3 Mbps to less than 6 Mbps
5. Greater than or equal to 6 Mbps to less than 10 Mbps
6. Greater than or equal to 10 Mbps to less than 25 Mbps
7. Greater than or equal to 25 Mbps to less than 100 Mbps
8. Greater than or equal to 100 Mbps
9. Don’t know
8. In your opinion, what is the minimum bandwidth speed needed to adequately meet the 
educational objectives of your entity? 
1. Greater than 200 Kbps to less than 768 Kbps
2. Greater than or equal to 768 Kbps to less than 1.5 Mbps
3. Greater than or equal to 1.5 Mbps to less than 3 Mbps
4. Greater than or equal to 3 Mbps to less than 6 Mbps
5. Greater than or equal to 6 Mbps to less than 10 Mbps
6. Greater than or equal to 10 Mbps to less than 25 Mbps
7. Greater than or equal to 25 Mbps to less than 100 Mbps
8. Greater than or equal to 100 Mbps
9. Don’t know
9. What is the current availability of wireless Internet access provided by your entity?
1. Available for both staff, students and/or patrons
2. Available for staff only
3. Not available for anyone, but plan to make it available for some within the next 
three years
4. Not available for anyone, and no plans to make it available
5. Don’t know
ONLY ASK QUESTION 10, IF QUESTION 9 EQUALS “1” OR “2”:
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10. What type of wireless equipment are your staff, students, and/or patrons currently using to 
access the Internet at your school or library? Check all that apply. (ROTATE 
RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-4)
1. Laptops, Netbooks or PCs
2. Tablet PCs
3. Smartphones or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), such as a Blackberry or 
iPhone
4. E-books or wireless reading devices, such as a Kindle
5. Other
6. Don’t know
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11. Based on current usage and educational objectives, please indicate whether the current 
Internet connection for your entity…
1. Completely meets your needs
2. Mostly meets your needs
3. Sometimes meets your needs
4. Rarely meets your needs
5. Does not meet your needs at all
6. Don’t know
ONLY ASK QUESTION 12, IF QUESTION 11 EQUALS “2”, “3”, “4” OR “5”:
12. What is the primary reason that the current Internet connection does not meet some or all 
of your needs? Check all that apply. (ROTATE RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-5)
1. Lack of capacity to serve multiple users
2. Connection speed is too slow
3. Frequent interruptions of service
4. Inadequate internal wiring and connections
5. Wireless networks can not provide coverage to all facilities
6. Other
13. Do any of the following issues prevent your entity from obtaining and using the high-speed, 
broadband Internet access that you think is necessary to meet your entity’s needs?  If so, check 
all that apply. (ROTATE RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-8)
1. Service too costly 
2. Installation too costly 
3. Lack of availability of broadband 
4. Inadequate local area network (LAN) services/internal networks and wiring
5. Outdated computers and equipment
6. Lack of training and technical support
7. Inconsistent service/frequent outages and down time
8. Physical structure or layout of building(s)
9. Other 
10. No barriers prevent our entity from obtaining and using high-speed broadband Internet 
11. Don’t know 
More specifically, please indicate whether the current Internet connectivity for your entity 
Completely Meets, Mostly Meets, Sometimes Meets, Rarely Meets or Does Not Meet At All
your needs for each of the following. (Rotate Questions 14 to 22) 
Completely 
Meets
Mostl
y 
Meets
Sometimes 
Meets
Rarely 
Meets
Does 
Not 
Meet 
At 
All
Don’t 
know/
Not 
Sure
Don’t 
have 
this 
need
14. E-mail 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
15. Video conferencing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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16. Streaming video 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
17. Voice over IP (VoIP) 
service 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
18. Web browsing and 
Internet research 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
19. Electronic databases 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
20. Learning applications, 
such as  educational 
games, homework or  
tutoring 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
21. Online learning 
management systems 
(e.g., Blackboard) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
22. Online testing and 
assessment applications 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Now, we have some questions for you specifically about the Internet applications available 
within your entity. For these questions, please specifically answer about the entity for which you 
have received E-rate funding.  
ONLY ASK QUESTIONS 23-32, IF QUESTION 2 EQUALS “1”, “2” OR “5”:
Please tell us whether your students, teachers and school administrative staff regularly use or 
access these applications online, and, if not, when does your entity anticipate making these 
resources available? (Rotate Questions 23 to 32) 
Currentl
y  have 
access
Plan to 
make 
available 
within the 
next 12 
months
Plan to 
make 
available 
within the 
next 12 to 
24 months
Plan to 
make 
availabl
e in 
more 
than 24 
months
Don’t 
plan on 
making 
availabl
e
Don’t 
know
23. Electronic textbooks 1 2 3 4 5 6
24. Professional development 
courses 1 2 3 4 5 6
25. Instructional planning 
materials and curriculum 
resources 1 2 3 4 5 6
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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26. School and student 
assessment data and results 1 2 3 4 5 6
27. Digital library or museum 
collections, including 
online subscriptions to 
periodicals and other 
primary source resources 1 2 3 4 5 6
28. Distance learning or video 
conferencing 1 2 3 4 5 6
29. Online applications that 
students use in the 
classroom 1 2 3 4 5 6
30. E-mail 1 2 3 4 5 6
31. Online testing and 
assessment applications 1 2 3 4 5 6
32. Online learning 
management systems (e.g., 
Blackboard) 1 2 3 4 5 6
ONLY ASK QUESTIONS 33-42, IF QUESTION 2 EQUALS “3”, “4” OR “5””: 
Please indicate whether the library’s staff or patrons regularly use or access these applications 
online, and, if not, when does your entity anticipate making these resources available? (Rotate 
Questions 33 to 42) 
Currentl
y  have 
access
Plan to 
make 
available 
within the 
next 12 
months
Plan to 
make 
available 
within the 
next 12 to 
24 months
Plan to 
make 
availabl
e in 
more 
than 24 
months
Don’t 
plan on 
making 
availabl
e
Don’t 
know
33. Licensed databases, such as 
Lexis/Nexis and other 
online subscriptions 1 2 3 4 5 6
34. Reference materials 1 2 3 4 5 6
35. Online instructional courses 
and tutorials, such as 
practice exams for the GED 
or other certification exams 1 2 3 4 5 6
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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36. Online job search, resume 
builders or job application 
filing 1 2 3 4 5 6
37. Digital special collections 
(e.g., letters, postcards, 
documents, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6
38. E-books 1 2 3 4 5 6
39. Video conferencing 1 2 3 4 5 6
40. Homework resources 1 2 3 4 5 6
41. Audio content (e.g., music, 
audio books, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6
42. Video content (e.g., 
streaming video, video 
clips, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6
ONLY ASK QUESTION 43A, IF QUESTION 2 EQUALS “1”, “2” OR “5”:
43A. Of the following resources or applications listed below, which do you consider most
essential to the operation of your school or school district? Please select up to three. 
(ROTATE RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-10)
1. Electronic textbooks 
2. Professional development courses
3. Instructional planning materials and curriculum resources
4. School and student assessment data and results 
5. Digital library or museum collections, including online subscriptions to 
periodicals and other primary source resources
6. Distance learning or video conferencing
7. Online applications that students use in the classroom
8. E-mail
9. Online testing and assessment applications
10. Online learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard)
11. Other
ONLY ASK QUESTION 43B, IF QUESTION 2 EQUALS “3”, “4” OR “5”:
43B. Of the following resources or applications listed below, which do you consider most
essential to the operation of your library? Please select up to three. (ROTATE 
RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-10) 
1. Licensed databases, such as Lexis/Nexis and other online subscriptions 
2. Reference materials
3. Online instructional courses and tutorials, such as practice exams for the GED or 
other certification exams
Federal Communications Commission                        DA 10-2414
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4. Online job search, resume builders or job application filing
5. Digital special collections (e.g., letters, postcards, documents, etc.)
6. E-books
7. Video conferencing
8. Homework resources
9. Audio content (e.g., music, audio books, etc.)
10. Video content (e.g., streaming video, video clips, etc.)
11. Other
44. Which areas of your entity’s technology infrastructure need the most improvement during 
the next two years.  Please select up to three. (ROTATE RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-10)
1. Local Area Network (LAN) (internal wiring)
2. Local Area Network (LAN) equipment (switches, hubs)
3. Computers and desktop equipment
4. Wide Area Network (WAN) circuits
5. Wide Area Network (WAN) equipment (routers, switches)
6. Server software applications (e.g., increasing the number of user access licenses 
for software)
7. Server hardware, operating systems and storage solutions 
8. Technical support staff capacity and knowledge
9. Staff training and support
10. Content management systems
45-
46.
Which of the following applications does your entity already use or do you believe that 
your entity will implement or expand over the next two to three years? Check all that 
apply. If none apply, select None of the Above. (ROTATE RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-5)
Q45 Q46
Already 
Using
Will 
implement or 
expand
Interactive white boards 1 1
Electronic textbooks 2 2
Using cell phones to access the Internet 3 3
Using handheld devices, such as PDAs, Smartphones or 
cell phones, for administrative purposes
4 4
Using handheld devices, such as PDAs, Smartphones or 
cell phones, for academic or educational purposes
5 5
Other 6 6
None of the above 7 7
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Now, a general question for you about the E-rate program.
47. What are the most critical services for your school, school district, or library that is 
currently funded under the E-rate program? Please select up to three. (ROTATE 
RESPONSE OPTIONS 1-8)
1. Landline telephone service (including VoIP, Centrex, or other telephone 
equivalent)
2. High speed telecommunications circuits for WANs, distance learning, etc.
3. Cell phone service
4. Internet access
5. Internal connections
6. E-mail
7. Web hosting
8. Basic maintenance of internal connections
9. Other 
10. Don’t know
Now, we have some questions for you about the services that your entity funded under the E-rate 
program in Funding Year 2008.  Please note that some of the questions in this section may 
require you to refer to your E-rate records or consult with others within your school, school 
district, or library to obtain the necessary information to respond to the questions.
As a reminder, we are surveying a representative sample of E-rate beneficiaries for feedback on 
the program. We will report the results of this survey in summary form only, thus no information 
will be included that could be used to identify individual respondents.
48. What is your entity’s current E-rate discount rate?
1. 90%
2. 80%-89%
3. 70%-79%
4. 60%-69%
5. 50%-59%
6. 40%-49%
7. 30%-39%
8. 20%-29%
9. Don’t know
49. What was the last funding year that your entity received funding under the E-rate 
program? (Drop down menu of years)
1. 2009
2. 2008
3. 2007
4. 2006
5. 2005
6. 2004
7. 2003
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8. 2002
9. 2001
10. 2000
11. 1999
12. 1998
13. Don’t know
50. In Funding Year 2008, what was your entity’s committed amount  of E-rate funding? 
1. Less than $10,000
2. $10,001 to $50,000
3. $50,001 to $100,000
4. $100,001 to $200,000
5. $200,001 to $500,000
6. $500,001 to $1 million
7. $1 million to $2 million
8. More than $2 million
9. Don’t know
51. What is the total amount of E-rate funding your entity has received or expects to receive 
for the following services in Funding Year 2008? Please enter responses in whole dollar 
amounts. Please enter zero if your entity received no funding for the service.  You may 
refer to your E-rate records or consult with others within your school, school district, or 
library to assist you with responding to this question.
$ Telecommunications services (Go to Q52A)
$ Internet access (Internet, Web-hosting, E-mail, etc.) (Go to Q52B)
$ Internal connections (Go to Q52C)
$ Basic maintenance of internal connections
999999999. Don’t know (Go to Q53)
52A. Approximately what percentage of your Funding Year 2008 E-rate funding for 
telecommunications services went to the following services? (Responses must add up to 
100 percent)
1. Landline telephone service, including local, long distance, Centrex
2. Cell phone service
3. PBX systems
4. Interconnected VoIP
5. Digital transmission (for example, DSL, ATM, wireless, satellite, T-1, DS-1, T-3, 
DS-3, fiber optic, broadband over power lines, frame relay, ISDN)
6. Paging services
7. Other services
52B. Approximately what percentage of your Funding Year 2008 E-rate funding for Internet 
access went to the following services?  (Responses must add up to 100 percent)
1. Dial-up Internet access
2. Wireless Internet access
3. Internet access via DSL
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4. Internet access via cable modem
5. Internet access via fiber
6. Internet access via other wireline technologies, including T-1, etc.
7. Email
8. Web hosting
9. Interconnected VoIP
10. Other services
52C. Approximately what percentage of your Funding Year 2008 E-rate funding for internal 
connections went to the following services and equipment? (Responses must add up to 
100 percent)
1. Servers (including installation and related charges)
2. Software and software licenses
3. Other services
Finally, we have a few questions for classification purposes.  
53. Is your entity currently in a network with any local, regional or state government entities?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know
54. For the purposes of the E-rate program, is your entity considered urban or rural? 
1. Urban
2. Rural
3. Both urban and rural
4. Don’t know
ONLY ASK QUESTIONS 55 TO 57, IF QUESTION 2 EQUALS “1”, “2” OR “5”:
55. How many students are currently enrolled at your school or in your school district?
Number of students
99999. Don’t know
56. Approximately, how many students are there per computer at your school or within your 
school district? Please round response to nearest digit.
Number of students per computer
99999. Don’t know
57. Are students allowed to bring a laptop to your school or in your school district to utilize 
the school or school district’s Wi-Fi?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Only during certain times
4. Do not have Wi-Fi
5. Don’t know
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ONLY ASK QUESTIONS 58 AND 59, IF QUESTION 2 EQUALS “3”, “4” OR “5”:
58. How many registered borrowers are currently served by the branch library or library 
system receiving E-rate funding?
Number of registered borrowers
99999. Don’t know
59. How many people live in the service area currently served by the branch library or library 
system receiving E-rate funding?
Number of people live in the service area
99999. Don’t know
60. If your entity uses an outside consultant to assist you with the E-rate process, what is the 
annual cost of those services?
1. Less than $1,000
2. $1,001 to $5,000
3. $5,001 to $15,000
4. $15,001 to $50,000
5. $50,001 to $100,000
6. $100,001 to $500,000
7. $500,001 to $1 million
8. Greater than $1 million 
9. Use a consultant, but don’t know amount
10. Don’t use a consultant 
Please feel free to provide any additional comments here.
Those are all the questions we have.  Thank you for participating in this survey.