WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans to fine AT&T $106,425 for allegedly charging two Florida school districts some of the highest telecommunications rates in the state, which is a violation of federal law and the FCC’s “lowest corresponding price” rule.
The rule is in place to protect members of the FCC’s E-rate program for schools and libraries. The program exists to make sure each school or library gets the best rates available by barring service providers from charging them more than the lowest price paid by other similarly situated customers.
The FCC alleges AT&T violated the lowest corresponding price rule from at least mid-2012 to mid-2015 by charging the Orange County and Dixie County school districts far more than other customers in the state.
“Charging school districts among the highest rates in the state for telephone or broadband Internet service is outrageous,” said enforcement bureau chief Travis LeBlanc. “Schools and libraries across the country heavily rely upon federal and state funds to afford these critical services. We expect that every service provider will offer participating schools and libraries the same low rates that they charge to other similarly situated customers.”