Report and order on using E-Rate funds for Wi-Fi hotspots

Since its inception more than 25 years ago, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) E-Rate program has supported high-speed, affordable Internet services to and within school and library buildings, and has been instrumental in providing students, school staff, and library patrons with access to essential broadband services. Recognizing our responsibility to ensure the E-Rate program evolves with the educational needs of students and library patrons, the FCC has frequently modernized the program to reflect the changes in education and technology. Internet connections outside of the school or library buildings are essential to fully engage in education, and schools and libraries are seeking to continue funding valuable lending programs to keep their students, school staff, and library patrons connected. That is why we adapt the E-Rate program to recognize these needs. Building on our experiences in the Emergency Connectivity Fund program and the comments we received in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we adopt a budget mechanism to allow for the equitable distribution of Wi-Fi hotspots and services to students, school staff, and library patrons. These rules are intended to be another step in updating the E-Rate program to reflect the realities of many schools and libraries by lending Wi-Fi hotspots and services through community and school libraries across the country so that students, school staff, and library patrons with the greatest need can be connected and learn without limits.