[20010104]98-604EPW_学校电子费率：通过普遍服务基金提供电信折扣的背景.pdf

Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web98-604 EPWUpdated January 4, 2001E-Rate for Schools: Background onTelecommunications Discounts Through theUniversal Service FundJames B. StedmanSpecialist in Social LegislationandPatricia Osorio-ODeaAnalyst in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryUnder language enacted in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a discount ontelecommunications services is being implemented for schools and libraries as part ofuniversal service. In general, universal service seeks to ensure the availability oftelecommunications services for all consumers, including low-income consumers as wellas those in rural and high cost areas. The universal service discount for schools andlibraries, known as the E-rate, is now in its third award cycle. The E-rate has an annuallimit of $2.25 billion in discounts. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)committed a total of $2.25 billion for the second year; it has also set the third yearfunding level at $2.25 billion. Applicants for the third year have requested discounts of$4.72 billion. Given concerns about various aspects of the program by