FCC may kill $2B program that connects schools and libraries to Internet | TheBriefWire
FCC may kill $2B program that connects schools and libraries to Internet
Published 25 June 2026 ยท science
The Federal Communications Commission was roundly criticized today for proposing to scale back or eliminate E-Rate, a $2 billion-a-year Universal Service program that provides discounts
The Federal Communications Commission was roundly criticized today for proposing to scale back or eliminate E-Rate, a $2 billion-a-year Universal Service program that provides discounts for telecom services and equipment in schools and libraries.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said E-Rate should be changed because students are getting too much screen time. He led a 2-1 vote to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes changes and asks the public to comment on them.
"Over the last decade, school districts across the country experimented with a massive increase in screen time for students," Carr said at today's meeting. Read
Published: June 26, 2026 โข 1:31 AM IST ยท Updated: June 26, 2026 โข 4:35 AM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
The Federal Communications Commission was roundly criticized today for proposing to scale back or eliminate E-Rate, a $2 billion-a-year Universal Service program that provides discounts for telecom services and equipment in schools and libraries.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said E-Rate should be changed because students are getting too much screen time.
He led a 2-1 vote to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes changes and asks the public to comment on them.
"Over the last decade, school districts across the country experimented with a massive increase in screen time for students," Carr said at today's meeting.