FCC Defends Bus Wi-Fi Before 5th Circuit

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2024 – A Federal Communications Commission attorney defended the agency's 2023 decision to fund Wi-Fi on school buses before a federal appeals court Monday, arguing the FCC’s actions were supported by federal law established decades ago.

“The petitioners’ argument that this decision ‘blows the doors open’ to internet funding everywhere misrepresents the Order,” FCC attorney Rachel May argued. “The Order specifically limits funding to bus Wi-Fi, and only bus Wi-Fi — any other off-campus service, would still need to meet the classroom test independently.”

The case, Molak v. FCC, brought by Texas residents Maureen and Matthew Molak, challenged whether federal money contained in the FCC’s E-Rate program, meant to support educational access within school buildings, can legally extend to buses.