# FCC Reviews E-Rate Broadband Discounts

The Federal Communications Commission is reviewing E-Rate, the school and library connectivity discount program that provides up to 90% discounts and represents **$2.6 billion** in support. The review could change or discontinue the program, and the FCC is considering potential oversight requirements for E-Rate consultants, including registration, disclosure, and annual training. Public replies to nearly 3,200 comments are due November 12, 2026 (**22 days remaining**), giving education stakeholders and contractors a near-term opportunity to document how program changes could affect connectivity services and operations.

- Schools, libraries, and connectivity providers can submit evidence on operational impacts in public replies by November 12.
- Contractors serving E-Rate applicants should assess how changes to discount availability could affect customer demand and planned school and library connectivity work.
- E-Rate consultants should evaluate the potential business impact of the proposed registration, disclosure, and training oversight; these are under consideration, not stated as current requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Education, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 20, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

### Vendors
- Funds for Learning (E-Rate consultant)
- The Brattle Group (Economic analysis consultant commissioned for an E-Rate study)

### Key Quotes
> Seven in 10 E-rate applicants receive less than $50,000 a year, so these are small districts and libraries without a grants office.
> — Stacy Hawthorne, board chair of the Consortium for School Networking

> Fairfax uses us for a limited set of services. D.C. uses us for full support on a large, complex application.
> — John Harrington, CEO of Funds for Learning

### Sources
- [Educators Ask FCC to ‘Preserve and Strengthen’ Broadband Discount Program](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/educators-ask-fcc-preserve-strengthen-123000319.html) - Yahoo