FCC Announces Program Demand for Third and Final Emergency Connectivity Fund Window and Issues First Wave of Funding Commitments
Over 7,300 schools and libraries requested $2.8 billion in Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) applications filed in the third and final ECF application window, including over 500 applicants from California requesting close to $500 million. The FCC estimates there is at least $1.5 billion available to fund applications nationwide. Because demand exceeds available funds, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will first process applications filed by schools and libraries in the most rural and impoverished areas. USAC issued the first wave of funding approvals for applicants in both rural and urban areas that have a 75% or higher rate of poverty, typically indicated by eligibility for the National School Lunch Program. The FCC has not yet announced where it expects the funding cut-off to be in terms of applications filed by organizations with less than a 75% poverty rate. We will report this information as soon as it becomes available.