The FCC has approved final E-Rate Program rules aimed at bridging the digital and educational divide. Schools and libraries can now utilize E-Rate resources to loan out WiFi hotspots, which will provide internet access for individuals without a reliable connection at home. The new rules specifically: (1) enable schools and libraries to use E-Rate funding to loan out WiFi hotspots and support high-speed internet access for students, school staff, and library patrons in both rural and urban America; (2) adopt a budget mechanism that limits the amount of support that an applicant can request for WiFi hotspots and services over a three-year period; (3) adopt safeguards to protect the integrity of the E-Rate program; and (4) require compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
