Chairman Carr Proposes to Reverse E-Rate School Bus Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Hotspots Eligibility

On September 3, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced he is proposing to eliminate school bus Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi hotspot eligibility for E-Rate funding. 

Commission-level orders must be voted on by all of the commissioners so Chairman Carr has asked his two fellow commissioners to vote on the orders.  Commissioner Anna Gomez opposes the decisions, but Commissioner Olivia Trusty reportedly will support the orders, so it is likely they will be adopted.  The orders were not included on the September 30 meeting agenda so it is unclear when they will be voted by all of the commissioners.

The two orders are: (1) a declaratory ruling that would overturn the FCC’s 2023 decision to fund Wi-Fi use on school buses and (2) an order on reconsideration that would reverse the FCC’s 2024 decision to fund Wi-Fi hotspots.  If these orders are adopted, the FCC will direct USAC to deny pending funding year 2025 requests for E-Rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspots and Wi-Fi on school buses.