Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Launched

On Monday, the FCC voted unanimously to adopt final rules for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a $7.17 billion program intended to help close the Homework Gap for students in the United States. The program will be an important source of support for the schools and libraries that have taken on significant technology expenditures in the last year to support student learning.

In the FCC announcement, Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said that, “Between this Emergency Connectivity Fund Program and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, we are investing more than $10 billion in American students and households. These investments will help more Americans access online education, healthcare, and employment resources. They will help close the Homework Gap for students nationwide and give so many more households the ability to connect, communicate, and more fully participate in modern life.”

While final rules are forthcoming, schools and libraries will be able to receive funding reimbursements for items like Chromebooks and Hotspots.

Full text of the FCC media release can be found at this link.