releases: http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3007
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3007 | After Press from Sens. Franken and Klobuchar, Minnesota Will See More Investments in Broadband Internet for Rural Schools and Libraries | 2014-12-17 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | After pressure from U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced it will increase investments in high-speed broadband Internet connections for Minnesota, especially in rural communities. Last week, the FCC voted to bolster the E-rate program, which provides support to improve Internet access in schools and libraries. Prior to the vote, Sens. Franken and Klobuchar pressed the Commission to raise the funding cap for the program. In a letter last week, the Senators told the FCC that high-speed Internet is particularly lacking in rural communities, and increasing investments in the E-rate program will allow rural schools in Minnesota and across the country to expand access to broadband. "Our rural communities cannot compete in the 21st century economy when nearly 30 percent of residents in Greater Minnesota don't have access to high-speed Internet," said Sen. Franken. "That's why we pressed the FCC to increase support for bringing broadband to our rural communities. By increasing improving broadband access in our schools and libraries, we can go a long way to closing the digital divide and helping make Minnesota more competitive in the global marketplace." "In today's 21st century economy, access to high-speed Internet is essential to compete in the global marketplace," Klobuchar said. "This action will help improve broadband connections in schools and libraries across Minnesota, and I will continue pushing to ensure Minnesotans have access to broadband, regardless of where they live, so families can stay connected and businesses can remain competitive." Last week, the FCC voted to approve a $1.5 billion funding increase to the E-rate program. According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, expanding the E-rate program will help over an additional 2,000 schools and 350 libraries in Minnesota improve their access to high-speed broadband supported Wi-Fi. You can read the full text of the Senators' letter to the FCC here or below. December 10, 2014 The Honorable Thomas WheelerChairmanFederal Communications CommissionDear Chairman Wheeler:We write to encourage the Commission to approve the proposal to increase investment in the Universal Service Schools and Libraries Program, known as E-Rate. This proposal will help ensure students and education programs across Minnesota and the United States can benefit from high-speed broadband connection in our schools and libraries. Since its establishment in 1997, the E-Rate program has helped schools and libraries make great strides in improving Internet connectivity. The percentage of classrooms connected to the Internet nationwide has grown from 14 percent when the program was first started to nearly 100 percent today. However, with increased emphasis on the integration of education and technology, the demand for high-speed Internet connections in schools and libraries is higher than ever before and is expected to grow. Nearly seven out of ten school districts across the nation report that not a single school in their district can currently meet high-speed Internet connectivity targets. The digital divide is particularly glaring when it comes to rural areas. This is a problem not just at schools, but in rural areas more generally. In Minnesota, nearly 30 percent of rural residents do not have access to broadband Internet, compared to less than one percent without broadband access in non-rural areas. While progress has been made to bridge this broadband access gap, one important step we can take is to remedy this problem at the many rural schools and libraries in need of high-speed broadband connections. The E-Rate program is not keeping up with the demand for its services and is in need of reform. In Funding Year 2013-2014, schools and libraries applied for E-Rate funding in excess of $4.9 billion despite only $2.5 billion being available. By increasing investment in the E-Rate program, numerous schools and libraries in remote areas will be able to improve connectivity and provide new technological resources for their communities. The availability of modern technologies in our classrooms and libraries is crucial to our success as a nation in the 21st century and beyond. Therefore, we support the proposal to increase the funding cap for the E-Rate program and urge the Commission to adopt this proposal. Thank you for your continued leadership on this important matter. Sincerely, | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |