FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler pledged to modernize the...

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler pledged to modernize the E-rate program, in a letter responding to a bipartisan group of House lawmakers, many belonging to the New Democrat Coalition. “I agree with each of the recommendations in your letter and hope to soon be able to adopt an Order beginning the process of E-rate modernization consistent with the approach you have outlined,” Wheeler said in a response received Tuesday, expressing concern over timing and wanting an order adopted in summer to ensure funding for the coming year. He is “especially concerned” about lack of robust Wi-Fi in schools and libraries and wants funding allocated for that, he said. “According to internal staff estimates, allocating an additional $1 billion to Wi-Fi next year without updated program rules will allow us to reach fewer than 4 million students, mostly in urban areas,” Wheeler said. “With modernized rules for internal connections, however, E-Rate could help over 10 million students connect to Wi-Fi in their classrooms, including many in rural areas.” The FCC has $1 billion committed for 2014, with more than $700 million slated for broadband-related funding, Wheeler said.