Media Contact: 
Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO 
RESTORE CONNECTIVITY IN HURRICANE-AFFECTED SCHOOLS 
AND LIBRARIES 
Assistance Provided Through FCC’s E-rate Program
  --
WASHINGTON, October 30, 2017—The Federal Communications Commission has 
unanimously approved emergency assistance to restore connectivity in schools and libraries 
affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria through the agency’s E-rate program.
E-rate helps fund broadband connectivity in the nation’s schools and libraries. The emergency E-
rate support will help schools and libraries located in the areas most severely impacted by the 
hurricanes quickly restore connectivity lost in the storms, and assist schools that are incurring 
additional costs because they are serving displaced students.
Schools and libraries directly impacted by the storms will be able to request additional funding 
for restoration of broadband services, and receive the maximum E-rate discount on services — a 
90% discount for broadband connectivity and an 85% discount for Wi-Fi and internal networks.  
They will also be provided increased program flexibility as they work to restore services.
Schools that are serving storm-displaced students who increase total enrollment by 5% or more 
may also apply for additional funding to defray increased costs.
The FCC also enacted measures to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse during the recovery 
effort. The emergency rules will not apply to future E-rate funding years absent further action by 
the FCC.
In the hardest hit areas in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
schools and libraries have either been destroyed or shut down indefinitely or have begun a long 
process of rebuilding and replacing the facilities and equipment necessary to serve their students.  
The relief provided by the Commission is an important step in the nation’s response to these 
disasters.
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).