Public schools may have some rare good news coming their way. The FCC has proposed adding Wi-Fi hotspots to a program that brings internet access to students in impoverished areas.
Here’s Five Fast Facts About E-Rate Hotspots:
- 📶 Hotness - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a new rule that would allow schools and libraries to use E-Rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspots and off-site internet access.
- 🏫 What’s E-Rate? - E-Rate gives eligible schools and libraries discounts on telecommunications, internet access, internal connections, and internal connections. The discounts are based on the school’s poverty levels and schools must pay for a portion of the costs.
- 🚌 Round and Round - E-Rate has made it possible for some school buses to be outfitted with wifi hotspots and this further expansion will allow students in need to access the internet for e-learning.
- 📚 By the Numbers - E-rate has already benefited a reported 4.5 million students, school staff, and library visitors during the 2021-2022 school year. The average cost was about $294 a year.
- 🌐 Objections - The program has its critics including human blobfish Sen. Ted Cruz. He claims students will use it for social media instead of school work. You know, because their phones don’t already have access. He’s probably fine with them using it to book tickets to Cancun.
🔥Bottom line: Broadband internet is considered a necessity at this point. People in need, particularly students, should have access to it regardless of where they live. School districts (and public libraries!) are paying at least something for the hotspots, so it’s not like they’re getting handouts.
What do you think of this program?
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