Verizon and AT&T expressed general support for the revised eligib...

plan covers wireless data plans. Sprint Nextel also sought changes clarifying that mobile solutions which have fundamentally changed how people communicate should also be eligible. “As proposed, expanding or clarifying E-rate eligibility for text messaging, interconnected VoIP services, and wireless local area network services is particularly useful as schools and libraries increasingly rely on these next-generation products and services,” Verizon and Verizon Wireless said in a filing. But “the Commission should also adopt other ESL changes to reflect more accurately the evolving communications needs of schools and libraries,” Verizon said. AT&T asked the FCC to revise the guidelines to guarantee that wireless data services, filed under the telecommunications category, will be considered eligible services for E-rate reimbursement. “Some cellular data plans involve data transfer only, but do not involve Internet access,” AT&T said. “It is unclear, based on the nature of the services involved in these plans and USAC’s treatment of these services to date, how the cellular data-only plans should be categorized when applicants file for E-Rate discounts.” Verizon and Verizon Wireless also asked that the rules be revised to clarify that wireless routers are included on the eligible services list. The rules should be updated to make clear that the “array of learning tools” that make virtual classrooms possible and allow students to do research and homework outside classrooms are covered, they said. “Virtual classrooms enhance a school’s ability to offer all students opportunities to access the curriculum,” the companies said. Sprint said wireless telecommunications and Internet access services, as well as EVDO connection cards and related equipment should be eligible for E-rate funding. “The notion of ‘eligible locations’ is a wireline-centric concept which is increasingly divorced from the way Americans work, study and live,” Sprint said. IBM asked that wireless local area network controllers and virtualization software be listed as eligible, because “if the service is eligible; i.e., email, then the underlying technology for the delivery of the service is eligible.” The State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance asked the FCC to reject a recommendation that for the first time password protected and Intranet pages be eligible for funding. “In 2009, in response to inquiries, USAC issued guidance clarifying that only public website pages were eligible under webhosting,” the alliance said. “The FCC, after meetings with affected vendors, then directed USAC to overturn their guidance and declare that password-protected pages were eligible. … USAC is now paying for educational portals, nearly in their entirety. We doubt this was the Commission’s intention when it deemed password-protected pages to be eligible.” The VON Coalition asked the FCC to endorse USAC’s recommendation increasing the availability of VoIP services for schools and libraries participating in the federal E-rate program. “The expanded availability of VoIP services will provide substantial savings for schools and libraries,” the coalition said.