FCC Plans Next Round of Connectivity Funding in April

The Federal Communications Commission announced it is opening a third application filing window, April 28-May 13, to award at least $1 billion in support from the Emergency Connectivity Fund.

During this third application filing window, eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2022-Dec. 31, 2023.

“Given past demand, the third application filing window will likely be the last opportunity…to request funding before the remaining Emergency Connectivity Funds are exhausted,” according to an FCC news release.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said: “I’m excited to announce we are opening a new opportunity for schools and libraries to apply for funding in the upcoming school year.” She also noted that the FCC is providing a 12^th round of funding to support another 200,000 students with devices and broadband connections.

Eligible equipment includes:

• Wi-Fi hotspots
• Modems (including air cards)
• Routers
• Devices that combine modem and router
• Connected devices, such as laptops and tablets

Total commitments to date have funded more than 10 million connected devices and 5 million broadband connections, the FCC reported. The connectivity fund was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 with more than $7 billion. The FCC indicated that it received more than $6.4 billion in funding requests during the first and second application filing windows.