NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
May 8, 2014 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253
E-mail: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
E-RATE PROGRAM COMMITS OVER $450 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR BROADBAND IN 
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES 
Reflects Record Level of Early-Year Funding in E-rate Program
Washington, D.C. – A record level of early financial support for broadband in schools and libraries has 
been approved by the E-rate program, the Federal Communications Commission’s program for 
supporting communications services in these institutions.
Reflecting a dedicated effort by the FCC to get critical funding for broadband to schools and libraries as 
quickly as possible, the $450 million in funding commitments for broadband is six times the amount 
approved at this time last year by USAC, the program administrator.  Including other communications 
services, USAC committed a total of $607 million in support in the first wave of funding for 2014.
“Now more than ever, students and teachers rely on broadband Internet access to stay ahead of the 
educational curve,” said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.  “And in libraries across the country, patrons are 
tapping into broadband networks to find jobs, do research, launch businesses, and access community 
services.  It is essential for the FCC to quickly and efficiently deliver the support that these institutions 
need to maintain and improve broadband service.”
Funded projects include:
· A statewide consortium in Maine will provide gigabit fiber connections to 28 library sites, which 
will support use of technology to help close the long distances in this large rural state.
· In Indiana, E-rate will help support 2.5 Gigabit Internet access for 21 sites near Indianapolis in 
the Warren Township Metropolitan School District, which has a 71 percent poverty rate. The 
district is using digital learning technologies to individualize education for students, and has 
increased its graduation rate by 12 percentage points over the last 5 years.
· Search other funding commitments on USAC’s web site at 
http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/commitments-search/Default.aspx
The FCC has initiated a full review of E-rate to modernize the program. This revitalization is focusing on 
increasing connectivity to high-capacity broadband, increasing competitive opportunities for schools and 
libraries to get the best service at an affordable rate, and cutting red tape.
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