With the Affordable Connectivity Program now insolvent, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing a new way to provide internet service to low-income students during school breaks: allowing them to “borrow” Wi-Fi hot spots from public schools and libraries.
The FCC is set to vote on this proposal at its July 18 meeting. The plan aims to assist financially disadvantaged students who may struggle academically due to the lack of residential internet service in their homes.
Under the program, portable routers that access cellular signals would be provided to schools and libraries at discounted rates based on their size and the income levels of the communities they serve. The proposed ratio is 20 hot spot routers per 100 students for schools and 5.5 hot spots per square foot of building size.
These routers would be compatible with existing devices like laptops or tablets. The cost for a school with 500 students serving a low-income population could amount to about $56,700 over three years. Similarly, a large public library in a similar community could receive up to $315,000 between 2025 and 2027.
According to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the goal is to make it standard practice for students or individuals lacking internet access at home to be able to check out a Wi-Fi hot spot from their local library. This initiative aims to bridge the Homework Gap and support those affected by the Digital Divide.
The FCC expects recipients of the E-Rate program to establish acceptable use policies, ensure internet safety for children, and implement appropriate filters to block harmful content, including social media.
Libraries and schools would need to define lending periods, typically around 21 days, similar to borrowing books. This approach differs from the one-to-one device per student ratio commonly seen in public schools, recognizing that not every student lacks internet access at home.
Some Dissent From Commissioners
The Affordable Connectivity Program, amounting to $14 billion, was initially intended as a temporary solution during the shift to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, benefiting over 23 million individuals. The FCC’s E-Rate program offers discounted broadband services to public schools and libraries but has not supported off-premises access for students and users after closing hours.
In October 2023, the FCC approved expanded E-Rate functions to include Wi-Fi internet service on school buses starting July 1, aiming to enhance connectivity options for students.
On June 6, a cybersecurity pilot program was approved by the FCC, allocating $200 million from the Universal Services Fund to enhance data protection and broadband network security for K–12 districts and libraries. This initiative aims to identify best practices for cybersecurity measures in school communities by evaluating the effectiveness of funded projects.
Despite opposition from two commissioners, an upcoming vote on the mobile hot spot initiative is expected on July 18. Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington have expressed concerns about the cost and necessity of the program, citing the widespread access to smartphones with mobile hot spot capabilities among teenagers.
Internet Safety Labs (ISL), a nonprofit agency specializing in testing ed-tech tools and platforms, has raised privacy concerns related to online activities for educational purposes. Their research has highlighted the lack of communication between schools and parents regarding privacy issues and the sharing of student information with third parties through school-approved applications.
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