The "Joint Comments of Education and Library Network Coalition" was written by a coalition of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) representing 95,000 school board members serving 40 million public school students, the American Library Association (ALA) representing 57,000 library professionals, the National Education Association representing 2.2 million educators, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) serving all 50 states, five extra-jurisdictions, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Schools and 22 other concerned organizations.
The Coalition proposes an implementation plan for universal service which is based on setting "just, reasonable and affordable" rates. The Coalition argues for discounted education/library rates for all technologies available anywhere in the nation.
The Coalition strongly opposes any form of block grant, voucher, or billing credit. It also opposes technology plans as obstacles to implementation of universal service.
The Coalition bases its arguments on a call for "functionalities" rather than defined technologies. "We wish to emphasize that schools and libraries do not need particular technologies or technical solutions. What they need is the ability to perform certain functions; the best approach will depend on what is practical and cost-effective in a given situation. For this reason, the Commission [FCC] should include a full range of service options up to and including the highest level..." (pg.9)
It proposes bidding by providers, and purchase of low-bid services as methods to gradually increase the affordability of universal service.