Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Wisconsin public school districts recently received additional assistance in providing students access to devices and broadband connectivity.
On Sept. 24, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission announced it was committing $1.2 billion nationwide to aid schools, libraries, and consortia that applied for support from the agency’s Emergency Connectivity Fund program. Funding is intended to reimburse districts for devices and internet services for students, staff, and patrons who need sufficient access to engage in remote learning. Among those nationwide applications, 189 Wisconsin projects were approved for funding. Click here for a list of the Wisconsin projects that received FCC approval.
The allocations announced by the FCC were part of a first wave of funding through the ECF. A second application window opened last week, and will close on Oct. 13, 2021. For more information on the ECF Program and to learn how to apply, visit https://dpi.wi.gov/broadband/ecf.