The expansion aims to offset last month’s expiration of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), which was created during the pandemic to help schools pay for Wi-Fi hot spots and devices necessary for remote learning.
E-rate was established in 1996 to help schools and libraries pay for telecommunications and Internet services, but until now, it has not included funding to support connectivity for students at home. The newly expanded E-rate program will allow schools and libraries to secure similar funding for hot spots starting in 2025, although it does not include funding for off-premises laptops or tablets.
According to Brian Stephens, an E-rate guide with the consulting firm Funds For Learning, schools that will be loaning hot spot devices to students typically have laptops and tablets they can loan out too.
“This is more just the connectivity piece of loaning a student a hot spot,” he said. “I think the presumption is that if a school is loaning a student a hot spot, they probably also have a school-issued device or some sort of device at home they could use to access the Internet.”
During the July 18 meeting to approve this measure, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said E-rate hot spot funding can help close America’s digital divide.
“I believe every library and every school in this country should be able to loan out Wi-Fi hot spots to help keep their patrons and kids connected,” she said. “It’s 2024 in the United States — this should be our baseline.”
At least two education organizations are planning webinars this month to acquaint the public with the FCC’s policy change: Funds for Learning will host one July 25 to discuss the E-rate application process for Wi-Fi hot spots and services; and the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition will host one July 31 to help schools and libraries understand the scope, timeline and potential of this new E-rate expansion.
