CCC PPPPP U U CCC N N EEEEE W W W SSS C C P p U U C C NN N E W W W S S C P P U U C N N N E W W W S C PPPPP U U C N N N EEE W W W W SSS C P U U C N N N E WW WW S C C P U U C C N NN E W W S S CCC P UUUU CCC N N EEEEE W W SSS CONTACT: Kyle DeVine June 25, 1997 CPUC - 542 213-897-4225 Res. T-16052 CPUC APPROVES DISCOUNTS FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today moved quickly to pave the way for schools and libraries to apply for federally funded discounts on intrastate telecommunications and information services by approving the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) discount levels. In order for schools and libraries to participate in the program, the FCC required states to approve the same, or greater, discounts the FCC uses for interstate discounts. The FCC's discounts vary depending on whether the school or library is in an urban or rural area and the level of economic disadvantage. Economic disadvantage for a school is determined by the percentage of its students eligible for the national school lunch program. For libraries it is determined by the percentage of students eligible for the lunch program in the school district in which the library is located. Following is the discount matrix: Schools and Libraries Discount Matrix How disadvantaged? Discount Level ________________________________________________________________ % of students eligible for national Urban Discount(%) Rural Discount(%) school lunch program _________________________________________________________________ less than 1 20 25 1 - 19 40 50 20 - 34 50 60 35 - 49 60 70 50 - 74 80 80 75 - 100 90 90 ________________________________________________________________ -more- CPUC Approves Libraries and Schools Discounts -2-2-2 On May 7, the FCC created the new program. Once the administrative mechanisms are in place, schools and libraries can submit requests. The discounts will go into effect beginning January 1, 1998. Libraries and schools who want more information about the FCC program should access the FCC's website devoted to this program for updates. The address is: www.fcc.gov/learnnet The program is similar to the California Teleconnect Fund the CPUC established last October; they both provide discounts for telecommunications services for schools and libraries. The FCC program adds to the services that California offers additional services such as usage, internal connections and internet service. But, unlike the CPUC program, the FCC one does not include community-based organizations and city-owned health care institutions. The FCC requires competitive bidding, applicants must submit a technology plan, and the level of discounts vary. ###