POLICY BRIEF: FCC Adopts Final Rules for the Emergency Connectivity Fund

Washington, DC (May 14, 2021) - In response to the at-home connectivity inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously adopted rules for the distribution of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) on May 10. In accordance with the rules, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will administrate the ECF Program separately from the E-rate program, yet similar measures, rules and processes were adopted to streamline and leverage existing infrastructure.

The support provided will first allow eligible schools and libraries to seek funding for “upcoming purchases of eligible equipment, as well as advanced telecommunications and information services”1 to meet the remote learning needs of those lacking access to connected devices and broadband connections. Click here or on the image below to read the full Policy Brief and learn more about the fund.