Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

ACTING FCC CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL UNVEILS PROPOSED RULES FOR EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND
Funds Aimed at Helping Connect Students During the Pandemic
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WASHINGTON, April 30, 2021—Today, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated and released to the public a draft Report and Order that, if adopted, would establish the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, pursuant to section 7402 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program would reimburse schools and libraries for the purchase, during the COVID-19 pandemic, of laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots and other eligible equipment as well as broadband connections for students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to connected devices and broadband service during this unprecedented time.
“During the pandemic, our classrooms went virtual and what was already an unconscionable homework gap has become a learning chasm with even more devastating consequences,” said Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “Even as the pandemic ebbs in some areas and surges in others, millions of students are still engaged in remote learning, and there is no time to lose.  Congress has entrusted the Commission with the vital task of providing relief to our students, teachers, school staff, and library patrons – and has mandated that we do so quickly.”

In light of the approaching statutory deadline, the urgency surrounding pandemic relief, and the Commission’s desire to receive targeted and timely input from a broad cross-section of the affected public, Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced that extraordinary circumstances exist to warrant the discretionary release of the draft Report and Order, including draft rules, to the public today.   “Developing rules on an expedited basis to administer an emergency $7.17 billion fund is a complex task and so I appreciate Commissioner Brendan Carr’s encouragement to share a draft with the public as the Commission finalizes the structure of the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program,” said Rosenworcel.  “I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on this important program.”

A factsheet and copy of the draft Report and Order can be found at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-372069A1.pdf. 

A Public Notice describing modifications to the Commission’s ex parte rules for the Emergency Connectivity Fund proceeding can be found at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-500A1.pdf. 

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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).