As the coronavirus pandemic keeps many schools at least partially online, educators are scrambling to ensure both students and teachers can connect to the Internet. But so far the two parties can't agree on how to make that happen, potentially leaving more than 15 million children without a way to learn this fall.

Educators hope the next coronavirus relief package, which is still mired in partisan sniping, will provide funding specifically earmarked for helping students and teachers get online. Democratic lawmakers want to include $4 billion in funding specifically dedicated to virtual learning needs. Funds in their plan would be distributed through the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program that helps schools and libraries obtain affordable broadband access. The House version of the next relief package was approved with $1.5 billion in funding for WiFi hotspots, connected devices and other telecommunications services to schools and libraries.

Republican lawmakers have proposed $70 billion in overall funding for K-12 education, a pot of money they say recipients could also use for virtual learning. “However, the bill misses the mark and falls far short of the needs facing our nation's schools,” 16 education groups including the School Superintendents Association and National Education Association wrote in a letter to Senate leadership on July 30. The groups also expressed concern with GOP plans to tie that funding to the physical reopening of schools, which some educators have pushed back against as cases of the virus spike across the country.

The Federal Communications Commission released an updated version of its FCC Speed Test app to evaluate how well customers' mobile broadband connections are performing. This app, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play, has been updated to work the with latest versions of the iOS and Android operating systems. Like its predecessor, the updated app allows users to test their cellular and Wi-Fi network performance for download and upload speed, latency, jitter, and packet loss. Consistent with the FCC’s commitment to maintaining user privacy, the app collects no personal or uniquely identifiable information.

On June 1, 2020, Republican Members of the House Commerce Committee wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai in support of the "5G Upgrade Order" which the FCC considered at the June 9, 2020 meeting. "Reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens to promote broadband deployment is a top priority for Congress, and we urge the Commission to approve this Order at your June Open Meeting," the Reps wrote.

On July 24, 2020, Chairman Pai wrote that the FCC adopted the Declaratory Ruling on June 9. "Our action should expedite equipment upgrades to support next-generation networks, which are critical to wireless innovation, investment, jobs, and economic growth." He added that the FCC also adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on proposed rule changes regarding excavation or deployment outside the boundaries of an existing tower site and the effects of such activities on eligibility for streamline review.

President Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order to further expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in rural communities.

Sec 2. Launching an Innovative Payment Model to Enable Rural Healthcare Transformation. Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Health & Human Services will announce a new model, pursuant to section 1115A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315a), to test innovative payment mechanisms in order to ensure that rural healthcare providers are able to provide the necessary level and quality of care.  This model should give rural providers flexibilities from existing Medicare rules, establish predictable financial payments, and encourage the movement into high-quality, value-based care.

Sec. 3.  Investments in Physical and Communications Infrastructure.  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall, consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations, and in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission and other executive departments and agencies, as appropriate, develop and implement a strategy to improve rural health by improving the physical and communications healthcare infrastructure available to rural Americans.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) has allocated $100 million in federal CARES Act funding to increase access to internet for K-12 students who will be doing virtual learning when school starts. “Despite the upheavals in our lives during the past few months and at least into the near future, children must be able to continue their classroom instruction,” said Gov Ivey. “This funding will expand internet access to allow more students to access distance learning while creating smaller classes in schools that provide those options and will also ensure their safety during the pandemic. While I respect those districts that have elected to use remote learning, I fear that a slide will come by keeping our kids at home,” she continued. “These funds will bridge the gap until all students can get back into the classroom as soon as possible."

The program, called Alabama Broadband Connectivity (ABC) for Students, will provide vouchers for families of students currently eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, or other income criteria. The vouchers will help cover equipment and service costs for high-speed internet service from the fall through Dec. 31. Families with children who receive free or reduced school lunch will be mailed a letter in August to explain how to access the program.

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau will invite public input on the Petition for Rulemaking recently filed by the Department of Commerce regarding Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Longstanding rules require the agency to put such petitions out for public comment ‘promptly,’ and we will follow that requirement here. I strongly disagree with those who demand that we ignore the law and deny the public and all stakeholders the opportunity to weigh in on this important issue. We should welcome vigorous debate—not foreclose it. The American people deserve to have a say, and we will give them that chance. Their feedback over the next 45 days will help us as we carefully review this petition.

On July 21, 2020, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai responded to several Members of Congress regarding a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report entitled "Emergency Alerting: Agencies Need to Address Pending Applications and Monitory Industry Progress on System Improvements". The Report makes three recommendations for executive action — two addressed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and one addressed to the FCC. With respect to the FCC, the Report recommends that 1) The Chairman should develop specific, measurable goals and performance measures for FCC efforts to monitor the performance of new Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) capabilities, such as enhanced geo-targeting and expanded alert message length.

In his letter, Chairman Pai notes that the FCC has adopted various requirements to improve the value of WEA messaging, such as "geo-targeting" rules, which require that alerts be tailored more precisely to those geographic areas in which the alert is most relevant. He also writes that the FCC has a pending rulemaking proceeding that specifically seeks comment on whether the FCC should adopt performance metrics, such as benchmarks regarding the extent to which these alerts have been received. He provided further update to the rulemaking proceeding.

The Federal Communications Commission announces the opening of the nomination period for the Ninth Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility (“Chairman’s AAA”). The nomination period opens on Aug 3, 2020 and continues through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sept 4, 2020.

In recognition of 2020’s 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 10th anniversary of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), the FCC is soliciting nominations for individuals who have made lasting and impactful contributions to the advancement of accessible communications technologies and services in the fields of policy, advocacy, research, and design. While in previous years, the Chairman’s AAA has honored emerging and innovative technologies, this year’s awards will recognize the contributions made by those committed to making “rapid, efficient nationwide communication service” available to all individuals. 

Please send all nominations to: ChairmansAAA@fcc.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT, Sept 4, 2020. Award winners will be recognized at a ceremony to be held in Oct 2020.