FCC Frees up E-Rate Money for Storm-Hit Institutions

By
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The FCC has unanimously approved emergency assistance to schools and libraries hit by hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey, using the E-rate program as the vehicle.

That is the broadband subsidy for broadband connectivity. Those schools and libraries--in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands--will be able to request funds to restore broadband service and get the maximum E-rate discount and can apply for more funds if they are a school adding storm-displaced students if that increases enrollment by more than 5%.

The FCC said it had enacted "measures" to prevent waste, fraud and abuse during the recovery.

John Eggerton
John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.