The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order that implements the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program will enable eligible schools and libraries to seek funding for purchases during the upcoming school year of laptops and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, other eligible equipment, and broadband connectivity for students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to connected devices and broadband service sufficient for remote learning.
If there is funding available after the provision of support for these upcoming purchases, the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program will reimburse schools and libraries for eligible equipment and broadband connectivity previously purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the unmet needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would have otherwise lacked access to devices and services sufficient to meet their remote learning needs.
The FCC’s news realease can be found here and the report can be found here.