Digital Inclusion

Libraries and Schools Urge FCC to Restore Off-Campus Wi-Fi Support

Backing petitions for reconsideration, advocates say E-Rate rollback threatens students’ connectivity.

Jericho Casper

Jericho Casper

— 3 min read
Libraries and Schools Urge FCC to Restore Off-Campus Wi-Fi Support
Photo of Megan Janicki, Deputy Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the American Library Association, a signatory to the group’s FCC reply comments, from LinkedIn.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2025 – Library and education advocates urged the Federal Communications Commission Tuesday to reconsider its rollback of federal support for off-campus Wi-Fi hotspots and school bus connectivity.

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The filings respond to petitions for reconsideration of the FCC’s Sept. 30 order rescinding earlier decisions that had allowed schools and libraries to use E-Rate funds for hotspot lending and Wi-Fi on school buses.

Two petitions for reconsideration are before the Commission. One was filed in October by American e-Rate Solutions, and a second was submitted in November by the California Public Utilities Commission. Both of which have drawn support from major library and education advocates.

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