Congress votes to pull funding for free Wi-Fi hotspots at schools and libraries

Summary

• US Senate has voted to repeal a Biden-era rule issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that used funds from the $2.6bn E-Rate programme to provide free Wi-Fi hotspots to children and those with no or poor broadband access at home.
• The move was supported by Republican Senator for South Dakota, John Thune, who argued the rule breached the Communications Act, which restricts the use of funds “to classrooms and libraries”.
• In a statement, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said the vote would exacerbate existing economic disparities, and widen the digital divide.
• The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program is also under threat, with a study finding it could save US taxpayers as much as $29.5bn,despitecostingupto$8bn annually.

By Gaby Del Valle

Original Article