Editorial note: On December 21, 2023, the FCC extended the comment deadline by one week to January 16, 2023 with reply comments due January 29.
On December 7, 2023, the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing new rules allowing schools and libraries to request E-rate discounts on Wi-Fi hotspots to be loaned to students and patrons was published in the Federal Register, establishing a comment deadline of January 8, 2024 with reply comments due January 22.
A part of FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s “Learn Without Limits” initiative, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking suggests regulatory changes and procedural guidelines which would pave the way for schools and libraries to be able to request E-rate support for Wi-Fi hotspot service that could be delivered to students and patrons for off-campus use. Other aspects of Learn Without Limits include school bus Wi-Fi and a cybersecurity pilot program.
