FCC Opens a Second Emergency Connectivity Fund Application Window

In view of outstanding demand, the Federal Communications Commission will open a second Emergency Connectivity Fund application filing window from September 28, 2021 to October 13, 2021. During the second application filing window, as in the first, eligible schools and libraries can request funding for equipment and services for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons with unmet needs during the current 2021-22 school year. While many schools and libraries timely submitted their applications, a number of applicants certified and submitted their ECF FCC Forms 471 after the August 13 deadline. The Wireline Competition Bureau directed the Universal Service Administrative Company to review and process these late-filed applications during the second application filing window in accordance with Program rules and requirements. The late-filed applicants will not be required to resubmit their applications, nor will they need to file a request for waiver of the initial 45-day application filing deadline with the FCC. The FCC expects all applicants will now have sufficient time to file their applications by the second filing deadline on October 13, 2021, and does not expect to grant waivers of the second deadline except under extraordinary circumstances.