In an effort to aid policymakers, administrators and other E-rate stakeholders as they shape the future of the program, Funds For Learning [an e-rate consulting firm] releases its E-rate Trends Report.
Based on a survey of 1,016 applicants representing a cross-section that closely matches the overall population of E-rate applicants, the report sheds light on how applicants perceive the program’s utility and effectiveness. Notable findings include: Source: 2016 E-Rate Trends Report
90 percent of respondents expect to add faster internet connections over the next three years.
72 percent of respondents said Wi-Fi is critical to fulfilling their organization’s mission.
79 percent of respondents said they do not have a backup or secondary internet connection in the event that their primary connection fails.
60 percent of respondents reported difficulty navigating the new E-rate Productivity Center (EPC).
94 percent of respondents indicated their organization will continue to apply for E-rate funding in the future.
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
