Commission to Vote on Declaratory Ruling Clarifying Wi-Fi on School Buses Eligible for E-rate Funding at October Open Meeting

At its October monthly meeting, the FCC plans to vote on a declaratory ruling clarifying that school bus Wi-Fi is eligible for E-rate funding. 

If adopted, this ruling will:

• Clarify that the use of Wi-Fi, or other similar access point technologies, on school buses is an educational purpose and the provision of such service is therefore eligible for E-rate funding;
• Direct the Bureau to fund the provision of these services, as well as any E-rate-eligible equipment needed to enable them, as part of the funding year (FY) 2024 eligible services list (ESL) proceeding; and
• Direct the Bureau to issue a supplemental FY 2024 ESL public notice seeking comment on the specific services and equipment that should be funded for this purpose, and on the costs associated with funding these services through the E-rate program.

All suggested revisions to the draft NPRM are due to the Commission before the Sunshine notice is issued on Oct. 12.