2010 E-Rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey: Report. DA 10-2414

This report presents data from the "2010 E-rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey" commissioned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc. (Harris), an independent national marketing research firm, between February and April 2010. The primary goal of the survey was to collect data on the current state of broadband connectivity for E-rate funded schools and libraries and inquire into challenges related to broadband use that recipients face now or will face in the future. This survey will help the Commission make policy decisions for the E-rate program by providing information on the educational and technological needs of schools and libraries. Key findings of this report include: (1) 95% of all E-rate survey respondents have some form of terrestrial broadband connection to at least one facility, while 2% use satellite and 3% use dial-up; (2) However, nearly 80% of all survey respondents say their broadband connections do not fully meet their current needs; (3) 39% of E-rate survey respondents cite cost of service as a barrier in meeting their Internet needs, and 27% cite cost of installation as a barrier; (4) 56% of all E-rate survey respondents expect to implement or expand the use of digital textbooks in the next two to three years, and 45% expect to implement or expand the use of handheld devices for educational purposes; (5) 10% of E-rate survey respondents have broadband speeds of 100 Mbps or greater and most (55%) have broadband speeds greater than 3 Mbps; (6) For schools, e-mail is the most used application (almost all schools, 98%, regularly use or access e-mail), and the most essential (69% consider it the most essential); and (7) For libraries, online reference materials are both the most used application (86% of staff and patrons regularly use or access online reference materials) and the most essential (62% consider it the most essential). (Contains 7 footnotes.)