Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836

House Author of Internet Access Law Applauds FCC's Attention to E-Rate

WASHINGTON (June 28, 2013) -- Congressman and Senator-elect Ed Markey (D-Mass.) who is the House author of the E-Rate program that has dramatically increased access to the Internet at schools and libraries today applauded the move by the Federal Communications Commission to seek public comment updating the E-Rate program. The program, which was included in the 1996 Telecommunications Act, has increased Internet access in schools from 14 percent that year to 97 percent access today. 

Rep. Markey released the following statement:

"The E-Rate program has allowed millions of children access to the Internet at school and in libraries, enabling them to harness the power of the web. Now it's time to herald a new era for the E-Rate program, where download speeds and capacity reflect the universe of knowledge and information that we should put within reach of all children. I commend the FCC for taking this step and look forward to working with the agency to ensure that the principles and potential of the E-Rate program are realized."

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