AT&T Response to President Obama's ConnectED Plan

DALLAS, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- "We're excited about the President's proposals.  AT&T has been very involved in tackling problems confronting our educational system, and we believe ensuring every child has access to robust broadband connections in their school would be a major step.  AT&T is ready to do its part to help make this vision a reality.

"As the President noted, the current e-Rate system, and the Universal Service Fund on which it depends, must be modernized for this plan to work.  The FCC has taken significant steps toward this, but much more needs to be done.  In particular, the USF contribution methodology must be updated to encompass more than the legacy services assessed today as we transition to the all-IP communications networks of tomorrow.  In addition, the very cumbersome rules surrounding the current e-Rate program simply must be streamlined and made more efficient.  We are convinced this can be done while still ensuring that the funds are properly collected and spent."

SOURCE AT&T Inc.