4/8 FCC Emergency Request For USF Support to Bridge Homework Gap

New America's Open Technology Institute filed an emergency request letter with the Federal Communications Commission ("Commission") urging the agency to use its existing authority and the budget under the universal service fund (USF) to extend connectivity to students without broadband access and assist in facilitating remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter, OTI calls on the FCC to act to empower schools and libraries to close the homework gap using the Universal Service Fund (USF) and E-Rate and Lifeline programs.

In the filing, OTI explains how the FCC has the legal authority and $2.2 billion in E-Rate funds it requires to immediately expand broadband access to millions of K-12 students who currently do not have broadband access. Recently, the FCC added $100 million in universal service funding for a telehealth pilot program to bring broadband access to patients at home, reflecting the Commission's authority to do the same for students.

The emergency request letter is available here. Below is a statement made by Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Project at New America’s Open Technology Institute, from OTI's press release:

“Millions of students required to stay at home cannot continue their education because their families lack adequate internet access. This has turned the broadband homework gap into a home-schooling chasm. This harms low-income students, particularly those in rural and inner city districts. But it impacts their classmates as well, as many schools decide they cannot rely on online instruction.

“The FCC has the legal authority to immediately designate $2.2 billion in available E-Rate funding to help local schools mitigate this crisis. The FCC can authorize schools to buy and lend out Wi-Fi hotspots to students lacking internet access. With over $2 billion in universal funds available for education, there is no reason to wait for Congress. The agency should also waive rules that deny school districts the flexibility to use their existing E-Rate funds and facilities to use wireless technologies to extend internet access to students in need.”