Schools, Libraries Prep to Seek FCC ECF Money
Schools and libraries are gearing up to apply for support through the FCC’s $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund. With an application filing window likely in June (see 2105110041), experts said in interviews many facilities are eager. They have a “high level of interest” in learning more, said State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance Chair Debra Kriete. SECA is doing statewide training and distributing educational materials. Experts agreed allowing prospective purchases will help.
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Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition Executive Director John Windhausen expects “a mixed bag” as “some schools and libraries are interested and can’t wait to get some additional funding to serve the needs.” Others are “waiting to see how the application process develops,” he said. Many libraries that don’t participate in E-rate are interested in applying here because “it serves a different need and their communities are really in dire straits because of a lack of broadband availability and affordability,” he said. FCC staff is in “regular contact” with schools and libraries interested in learning more about ECF, emailed a spokesperson. “We anticipate there will be a high level of interest once the window opens, which we’re estimating will be by the end of June.”
Fiber Broadband Association President Gary Bolton said when schools began to close, he worked with Tennessee's Huntsville Utilities to bring bucket trucks to schools serving free and reduced lunch so students could get online to do homework. “The remote learning and homework gap is really important, and we see over half our members or service providers certainly want to be able to help,” Bolton said: It’s important “burdensome compliance obligations” don’t discourage eligible applicants while also making the program publicly accountable. With vacations, it might be tricky for some schools to apply in June or July because they “might not have the staff on them to be able to process it and pull all the information together,” Windhausen said.
ECF provides up to $400 for a connected device, more than EBB. It’s a “significant part” of the program, said Incompas General Counsel Angie Kronenberg, noting member companies can provide services and devices here. NCTA said its corporate members are working with schools, libraries, community centers and others, continuing to “provide a variety of connectivity solutions that best meet their needs.”
There was initial confusion about how eligibility for support via ECF would be affected if a student's household got an emergency broadband benefit. SECA's Kriete met with Wireline Bureau staff May 24 on this, said a filing posted Thursday in docket 21-93. The rules prohibit duplicative federal funding, but a student may receive hot spot connectivity for remote learning.
The American Library Association has been hearing some concerns about patron data retention requirements, said Associate Director-Senior Policy Advocate Marijke Visser in a statement. “We are also providing resources to the field to help libraries prepare for when USAC opens the application window,” Visser said, and ALA members have been lending hot spots, parking library vans and creating community Wi-Fi in parks and other public spaces, she said. “With this new funding opportunity, libraries are exploring how to leverage ECF to add or expand capacity with new devices and internet service.” AASA-the School Superintendents Association didn't comment.
Libraries would have to track names and locations of patrons receiving a device and maintain those records for 10 years. Patron privacy is an ALA “core value,” Visser told us, and 48 states have such privacy laws. Many libraries' systems for checking out equipment delete personally identifiable data shortly after it's returned. Libraries could offer circulation data instead, Visser said, but “it's definitely an obstacle” for libraries if they have to be audited. ALA plans to send questions to the FCC. “Hopefully, we'll get the response that we want,” Visser said. “I'm not so sure, since they already haven't listened to our comments and ex parte.”
Modifying rules to prioritize prospective purchases (see 2105120053) was a “big change,” Kronenberg said. “I would anticipate that this program is going to be a really big success for this coming school year and addressing [students’] needs because we finally have the funding.” SECA Chair Kriete is pleased the commission reversed course to “focus the initial filing window on prospective purchases,” helping “ensure all needed connectivity is put in place to enable all remote learning.”