USCCB backs call for greater spending on high-speed Internet access for schools

November 25, 2014

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has called upon the nation to spend $1.5 billion more each year to ensure that all schools have high-speed Internet access.

The chairmen of two committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops lent their support to the proposal.

“What is particularly hopeful about your proposal is not the additional funding itself, but the difference it will make in the lives of our Catholic school students,” said Archbishop George Lucas, who chairs the Committee on Catholic Education, and Bishop John Wester, who chairs the Committee on Communication.

“It will allow our Catholic schools to move from basic connectivity to meeting capacity needs, not only to expand access to connectivity, but to ensure access to adequate, sustainable capacity,” they added. “It will mean that more of our schools can provide the bandwidth necessary to support 1:1 digital learning ... The additional funding will ensure adequate access to connectivity, including a focus on our schools in disadvantaged communities so that everyone, everywhere – rural, urban and suburban – has access to sufficient capacity.”

 

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Further information:

• USCCB Chairmen Welcome FCC Chairman’s Proposal To Permanently Raise Funding For Program Assisting Catholic Schools With Broadband Internet Access (USCCB)
• FCC chair wants fee hike to expand Internet access (AP)