As part of the massive bill, the FCC will have 60 days to set up an E-rate Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) of $7.6 billion (minus $1 million to pay for FCC Inspector General oversight of the program). The Universal Service Administrative Company, which oversees the FCC’s ongoing USF subsidy program, will administer the emergency fund, which will be kept separate from USF subsidies.
Also Read: ISPs Prepare for Broadband Billions
The ECF will go to eligible schools and libraries to pay 100% for the costs of equipment and/or advanced communications service for students both in school and remote learning, and for library patrons both in libraries and remotely. The money is available until 2030.
Currently the FCC’s USF E-rate subsidy can’t be used for home broadband or equipment, though the FCC under new acting chair Jessica Rosenworcel is trying to change that.
By John Eggerton
