FCC Proposes E-Rate Support for Wi-Fi Hotspots

The Federal Communications Commission initiated a proceeding to address the ongoing remote learning needs of today’s students, school staff, and library patrons through the E-Rate program and to ensure the millions who have benefitted from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) do not fall back onto the wrong side of the digital divide once the program ends. Specifically, the FCC proposes to permit eligible schools and libraries to receive E-Rate support for Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless Internet services that can be used off-premises. The FCC proposes to find that the off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and Internet services by students, school staff, and library patrons for remote learning and the provision of virtual library services constitutes an educational purpose as defined by the FCC and enhances access to advanced telecommunications and information services for schools and libraries. The FCC also seeks comment on how to adapt the E-Rate program to reflect the virtual nature of today’s modern educational environment. Additionally, the FCC seeks comment on the applicability of the Children‘s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements and the off-premises use of E-Rate-supported hotspots and services. In considering whether to support the off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and Internet access services, the FCC seeks to balance the need to modernize the E-Rate program to support today’s technology-based learning environment with the need to ensure the limited E-Rate funding remains available for its primary purpose of providing connectivity to schools and libraries, and is protected from potential waste, fraud, and abuse.