Libraries

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, joined by the American Library Association, EdLiNC, and the Homework Gap Coalition, called on the Federal Communications Commission to preserve school bus Wi-Fi and hotspot lending under the E-Rate program. The urgent appeal comes as the FCC scheduled a vote that could eliminate both programs. The FCC’s proposed action would reverse its 2023 ruling clarifying that Wi-Fi on school buses is an educational purpose eligible for E-Rate funding and its 2024 order establishing hotspot lending programs for schools and libraries.

Broadband trade groups participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund program urged lawmakers not to fund the program through Congressional appropriations. “USF funding should not shift to an appropriations-based model. Doing so would undermine all of the programs due to the uncertainty inherent in the annual appropriations process,” the Competitive Carriers Association said in comments to a group of legislators working on modernizing the program.

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition submitted comments to the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group, urging Congress to preserve and improve the USF as the nation’s most effective and essential broadband fund that connects anchor institutions nationwide. SHLB’s comments outline several steps to strengthen and modernize the fund, including:

Chairman Carr’s moves today are very unfortunate as they further signal that the Commission is no longer prioritizing closing the digital divide. In the 21st Century, education doesn’t stop when a student leaves school and today’s actions could lead to many students having a tougher time completing homework assignments because their families lack internet access. The Wi-Fi on school buses is particularly helpful for students in rural areas that face long, daily commutes.

Millions of students and seniors depend on hotspots and school bus Wi-Fi for homework and tele-health services. Now the FCC is moving to strip that connectivity away while doing nothing to make broadband more affordable. Their latest proposals will only widen the gap between those with access to modern-day tools and those left behind. We must all fight back against this level of cruelty and indifference by this Administration.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks nominations for the following Board member positions on the Board of Directors of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) listed below for a three-year term:

Policymakers’ attempts to keep up with the shifting nature and increasing importance of communications services have fallen short, and the digital divide persists between those who have up-to-date technology access and those who do not.

What is a community anchor institution? The National Telecommunications and Information Administration recently changed its answer to this question.

The Federal Communications Commission voted to kick off its annual review of the pace and cadence of broadband deployment. The Notice of Inquiry reorients the FCC’s approach to the Section 706 Report by adhering more closely to the plain language of the statute and takes a fresh look at this question of whether broadband “is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.” The Notice takes a technology neutral and holistic approach to evaluate the state of broadband availability and progress in closing the digital divide in the United States.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) submitted the federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms fund size and administrative cost projections for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2025 (4Q2025). USAC projects a consolidated budget of $75.59 million for 4Q2025. Direct costs for all support mechanisms total $32.76 million.