FCC Adopts E-Rate Wi-Fi Hotspot NPRM

Last week, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that seeks to allow E-Rate funding recipients to support hot spot loan programs.  The E-Rate program is a universal service support mechanism that funds schools and libraries, and the FCC seeks to classify the hot spots as a service that provides connectivity to eligible school and library locations.  Wi-Fi hot spots help to establish connectivity for those who lack it outside of the library or school campus, and the FCC cites successful hot spot loan programs under the Emergency Connectivity Fund (“ECF”) to support the NPRM.  

USAC Publishes Universal Service Fund Procedures

Earlier this month, the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) filed a summary of its administrative procedures, and specifically outlined the procedures used to protect the Universal Service Fund (“USF”) against waste, fraud, and abuse.  The FCC requested that USAC describe the administrative procedures used to reach schools and libraries funding decisions that are not codified in FCC rules, clarifying how USAC operates the E-rate program.  USAC is the permanent administrator of the federal universal service programs and must administer the programs in an efficient, effective, and competitively neutral manner.  

E-Rate School Bus Wi-Fi Comment Deadline Extended

The FCC has extended the filing deadline for comments regarding the addition of services and equipment used to provide Wi-Fi service on school buses (Vol. XX, Issue 44) to the E-Rate eligible services list.  Comments were previously due by November 24 but are now due on November 30, 2023.  

ACP Transparency Data Collection Deadline Extended

The FCC has extended the submission deadline for the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) Transparency Data Collection.  The data, based on a reference or screenshot date of August 1, 2023, was originally due by November 9 but is now due by November 30, 2023.  

Thomas B. Magee, Tracy P. Marshall, Kathleen Slattery Thompson, Sean A. Stokes, and Wesley K. Wright contributed to this article.