WTA Comments on Proposed Emergency Connectivity Fund

On April 5, WTA submitted comments to the FCC in response to its Public Notice seeking to implement the Emergency Connectivity Fund established by Congress in the American Rescue Plan. The ECF would provide assistance to schools and libraries to purchase broadband equipment for use by students, school staff, and library patrons at locations other that the school or library.

In its comments, WTA recommends getting the program operational as soon as possible and to focus on readily available equipment and broadband solutions. WTA also noted that while its member companies are ready and willing to work with school districts and libraries on this program, the FCC should not require service providers to monitor, report and validate usage of the supported monthly services by the households selected by a participating school or library.