WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to formally begin the rulemaking process on expanding the E-Rate program to give students access to next-generation educational technology.

“I commend the Commission for voting to start a rulemaking to expand and strengthen the hugely successful E-Rate program.  We must provide our schools and libraries with next-generation Internet connectivity so that they benefit from the rapid advances in digital education technology. The global economy demands an increasingly educated workforce with higher skills and strong backgrounds in science, math and technology.  Our students must have access to high-speed Internet connectivity to gain the skills necessary to compete.  I look forward to working with the FCC on updating E-Rate because every child deserves to be connected to the opportunities that this technology can provide."

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