Erate

E-rate

The E-rate program provides discounted telecommunications, internet access, and internal connections to eligible schools and libraries, funded by the Universal Service Fund. The Federal Communications Commission recently began modernizing the program to include Wi-Fi connections in schools and libraries while continuing broadband connections.

The E-Rate program is critical to millions of Latinos and low-income communities that depend on schools and public libraries to access the Internet. Nearly half of Latino children live in households without home Internet. The Internet’s growing role in connecting teachers, students, and communities to jobs, information, and ongoing learning opportunities has led to greater demand for high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi connections at schools and libraries.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition joined other public interest organizations in submitting comments to the Federal Communications Commission in support of the E-Rate program. NHMC continues to push for the FCC to clarify E-rate rules for the programs that have proven to benefit students.