The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a final rule that, if adopted, would allow schools and libraries to use funding from the E-Rate program for off-premises use of WiFi hotspots.
The FCC’s E-Rate program, established in 1996, is intended to help schools and libraries obtain affordable broadband service. However, in today’s digital age, the program does not support off-premises wireless internet services – leaving millions of students without internet access to do homework.
“I am proud to highlight that we are finalizing a rule to allow schools and libraries – primarily in low-income and rural areas – to use funding from the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate program for Wi-Fi hotspots that will increase access to remote learning and virtual library services,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement on June 26.
“It should be the standard practice that students or anyone who can’t afford internet at home can check out a Wi-Fi hotspot from their local library,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in an FCC press release. “This update is how we’ll help close the Homework Gap and support folks on the wrong side of the digital divide so they can fully participate in modern civic and commercial life.”
The full commission is expected to vote on the final rule at its open meeting on July 18.
The move would come at a critical time as the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on May 31, despite some lawmakers’ best efforts to revive the program.
The ACP was the nation’s largest broadband affordability program, providing eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month on their internet bills, and up to $75 for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Twenty-three million U.S. households participated in the program.
Now that the program has ended, the FCC said “many impacted households may now need to turn to local schools or libraries to stay connected for education.”
Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., the author of the original E-Rate program, applauded the proposed final rule from the FCC, noting that he looks forward to working with the commission and his colleagues to see “this necessary update to E-Rate come to fruition.”
“Whether at school, a library, or now at home, the E-Rate program gives students and educators a ticket to learning, growing, and connecting to opportunity through internet access,” Sen. Markey said. “E-Rate is a critical piece of infrastructure that is helping close the digital divide for students and educators in an increasingly online learning environment. I applaud Chairwoman Rosenworcel and the FCC’s effort to modernize the program, which I was proud to author more than two decades ago.”
