FCC commits nearly $64M in emergency connectivity funding

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it is committing $63,613,404.33 in the 11th wave of Emergency Connectivity Fund program support, helping to close the Homework Gap. Since its June 2021 launch, the program has committed nearly $4.69 billion in funding connecting over 12.5 million students with broadband connections and equipment. This latest round of funding is supporting schools and libraries across the country, including providing connected devices and broadband connections for students in central Maine, Puerto Rico, Alaska, California, and South Carolina.

“We need all our students connected to reliable and affordable broadband service, no matter where they live,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “The Emergency Connectivity Fund is helping to achieve that goal, providing online access to thousands of schools and libraries across the country. I’m proud of the progress this program is making to close the Homework Gap.”

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensure students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. Total commitments to date have funded over 10 million connected devices and 5 million broadband connections. Today’s announcement includes over $33 million in commitments from Window 1 applications and nearly $31 million in commitments from Window 2 applications.

CT Bureau