STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, CC Docket No. 02-6, A 
National Broadband Plan for Our Future, GN Docket No. 09-51
Without a doubt, the E-rate program has made a significant impact on the provision of 
broadband to millions throughout this nation. Our primary anchor institutions—schools and 
libraries—have encouraged broadband deployment and adoption in many geographic areas that 
might not otherwise have been offered broadband, but for the program.
By providing broadband access, the E-rate program offers consumers who are unserved 
at home, some opportunity to get online through their local libraries.  In addition, this program 
has encouraged digital literacy and broadband adoption as both teachers and librarians have 
taught many students and constituents how to navigate and use the Internet.  For teachers and 
students, E-rate has allowed them to be integrated into the digital world and has expanded their 
educational opportunities at school.  For example, the interactive nature of some educational 
websites can enhance the learning experience of elementary school students.  They can improve 
their math skills using innovative games offered online.  They can explore the wonders of science 
and be introduced to other countries and cultures currently out of reach, right from their desktops.  
As educators increasingly integrate the Internet into their lesson plans, faster speeds and 
additional bandwidth are needed to accommodate all of the interactive, educational uses the 
Internet offers.
The adjustments we make today to the E-rate program have countless benefits for 
schools, libraries and their surrounding communities.  By indexing the E-rate funding cap to 
inflation, we are protecting the purchasing power of recipients so they can continue to acquire the 
critical broadband elements they need to serve and educate our fellow citizens.  We also are 
encouraging faster speeds and more bandwidth to be delivered by permitting schools and libraries 
to take advantage of fiber networks that have already been built, and through additional 
competition we advance in this Order, E-rate dollars can be maximized to provide much needed 
services to more schools and libraries.  Finally, by permanently changing our rules to permit E-
rate funded services to be used after school hours without reducing benefits, we are encouraging 
schools to make their facilities available so that more citizens can be served.  It is my hope that 
this will spur further digital literacy and broadband adoption in local communities throughout the 
nation.  
I am a strong proponent of us making the most of what our Universal Service Fund has to 
offer, and I want to thank the Chairman for his leadership on these issues, and the staff of the 
Wireline Competition Bureau for their significant and meaningful work on this item.