The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has committed an additional $1 billion in funding for U.S. schools, libraries, and education consortia to increase student access to devices and broadband connectivity in support of remote learning.
According to a press release, a total of $1.159 billion has been committed to 2471 schools, 205 libraries, and 26 consortia under the Commission’s Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. The commitment brings to $2.362 billion the total amount allocated to date by the FCC, out of a total of over $7 billion earmarked for the Program.
Funding under the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program can be used for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for use by students, school staff, and library patrons needing these technologies.
To date, the FCC estimates that nearly 8 million students have been afforded connectivity access benefits under the program.
Read the FCC’s press release on its Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.
Additional information about applying for funding under the Program is available at www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org.
