FCC Announces Recipients of First Round of Emergency Connectivity Funds

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it is committing over $1 billion from the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program for 3,040 schools, 260 libraries, and 24 consortia from all 50 states and Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia that applied for support in the first round of funding.  Funding is available to help students, school staff and library patrons access the devices and broadband connectivity they need to support their off-campus education needs.  The FCC announced the funds will help connect over 3.6 million students who would otherwise lack devices, broadband access, or both.  More details about which schools and libraries will receive funding can be found here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-376028A2.xlsx. Interested applicants can apply for the second round of funding from September 28^th through October 13^th, which will provide funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.