The FCC Must Preserve School Bus Wi-Fi and Hotspot Lending Through E-Rate
As a member of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, the EveryLibrary Institute strongly urges the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to maintain funding for school bus Wi-Fi and hotspot lending under the E-Rate program. This action comes on the heels of Chairman Brendan Carr's attempt to censor ABC and the Jimmy Kimmel Show for speech that the Trump administration does not like.
The E-Rate program has long been a fundamental part of ensuring access to digital resources and supporting connectivity in classrooms, libraries, and community spaces throughout the country. These essential initiatives were established to help close the nation's digital divide and are now at risk of being eliminated, as the FCC prepares to vote on September 29, 2025, on proposals that would overturn both programs. Ending mobile hotspot lending and Wi-Fi on school buses programs would jeopardize the progress that schools and libraries have made in connecting millions of Americans who otherwise lack reliable internet access.
We stand with the SHLB Coalition to remind the FCC that students need affordable, reliable internet access for learning to succeed. An estimated 9 to 15 million students in the United States still lack broadband at home, disproportionately affecting low-income and rural communities. Without connectivity, these students face significant barriers to completing homework, participating in virtual tutoring, accessing digital textbooks, and fully engaging in remote or hybrid learning environments.
The FCC’s press release announcing the vote indicates a substantial shift in the Commission’s direction. Chairman Brendan Carr characterized existing programs as “illegal,” claiming they fund “unsupervised screen time for kids” and are “Biden-era overreaches” that exceed the agency’s statutory authority. The Commission is also preparing to instruct the Universal Service Administrative Company to deny all pending FY2025 funding requests for bus Wi-Fi and hotspot programs. The Senate had previously attempted to end these programs, but the House has declined to do so.
Hotspot lending programs are often the only way for students to bridge this gap. For families without home broadband, a school- or library-provided hotspot allows children to stay engaged with their coursework and keep pace with their peers. Libraries also lend hotspots to job seekers, veterans, and seniors who depend on internet access for professional development, telehealth appointments, and essential online services.
School bus Wi-Fi transforms travel time into learning time. School bus fleets equipped with Wi-Fi enable students, many of whom face long commutes, to complete assignments on their way to and from school. Parents report that students return home with their homework already done, allowing for more time to spend with family and pursue extracurricular interests.
These services expand the school environment itself. School districts are legally responsible for student safety and conduct during transport, and internet-enabled buses serve as “mobile study halls”. Concerns expressed by the FCC Chairman about content control are misplaced. Districts that recieve e-rate must route bus Wi-Fi traffic through their existing Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) filters, ensuring that students access only approved educational sites while blocking non-educational platforms.
If the FCC chooses to reverse these programs, it would not only disconnect millions of students but also create significant financial and operational challenges for schools and libraries. Many institutions have already received E-Rate funding commitments for the 2024 funding year or entered into contracts for services in 2025 based on their inclusion in the Eligible Services List. A sudden change in policy could leave these institutions scrambling to fill unexpected budget gaps or break legally binding agreements.
The Communications Act directs the FCC to ensure that universal service is "predictable." Abruptly reversing course on these established programs without adequate notice, public comment, or transitional measures would undermine confidence in the E-Rate program and contradict the spirit and letter of the law.
The EveryLibrary Institute believes that E-Rate must evolve alongside educational and community needs. Hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi are proven, effective strategies to address the "homework gap" and advance digital equity. We urge the FCC to reject any proposals that would roll back these programs and instead continue to invest in innovative approaches to connectivity that meet people where they are.