After hearing from more than 7,500 district superintendents, school board members, principals, teachers, and families the FCC has agreed to allow the federal E-rate program to fund internet access for more than 50 million students nationwide, as well as hospitals and libraries, with focus on typically underserved rural communities.
From the FCC announcement last week:
“…changes to the Rural Health Care (RHC) and E-Rate programs that will make it easier for broadband providers to support telehealth and remote learning efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has waived the gift rules until September 30, 2020 to enable service providers to offer, and RHC and E- Rate program participants to solicit and accept, improved connections or additional equipment for telemedicine or remote learning during the coronavirus outbreak.”
Read the full press announcement FCC – Suspension of Gift Rules
