The COVID-19 pandemic brought a surge in demand for internet access beyond school walls. To help bridge the digital divide, many schools turned to wireless hotspots funded by the FCC’s E-rate and Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) programs. The ECF was a temporary program in 2020 through 2023. It offered full reimbursement for hotspots and service plans for off-campus use, which was not available through the E-rate program until 2024. Now in 2025, with many students back in classrooms full-time, school leaders are asking: Is it still worth pursuing hotspot funding through E-rate?
Is It Still Worth It?
✅ Yes — If Your School:
- Has students without reliable home internet (especially in rural or low-income areas).
- Wants to support 1:1 learning initiatives (where each student has a device).
- Can leverage other funding sources (like state grants, ESSER funds, or partnerships with community orgs).
- Uses hotspots for temporary or emergency coverage, such as field trips, mobile classrooms, or disaster recovery.
❌ Maybe Not — If:
- Most of your students already have reliable broadband at home.
- You have strong internal Wi-Fi and can prioritize Category 2 infrastructure over hotspots.
- The administrative burden of managing hotspot programs outweighs the benefit.
As of May 2025, the U.S. Senate has voted to overturn the FCC’s 2024 decision to make Wi-Fi hotspots and associated mobile wireless service for off‑campus use eligible for E‑Rate funding. The resolution is now pending in the House. Once signed into law, it will immediately take effect, invalidating the FCC’s hotspot eligibility expansion.
If the law passes to make hotspots ineligible as part of E-rate reimbursement, there are still cases where it’s worth pursuing alternative funding or repurposing existing infrastructure creatively. Wireless hotspots can still play a critical role in equity and access for students who need it most. However, it may need to be part of a broader digital inclusion strategy rather than a standalone solution.
