The “fundamental problem” with E-rate is “the perennial...

The “fundamental problem” with E-rate is “the perennial under-funding of networks within schools due to the existing system of prioritizing services,” Cisco told FCC officials Tuesday, an ex parte filing said (http://bit.ly/1fkKGpT). “Broadband connections to the school are only useful to the extent that students and teachers can access them in the classroom, particularly as educators move towards a one-to-one ratio of students to connected devices,” Cisco said. The networking provider suggested a “whole network” approach to E-rate funding, which would eliminate the distinction between priority one and priority two services. That approach should also recognize that “internal networks require basic maintenance” to perform properly, and schools and libraries should have the funding to purchase such contracts.