US EditionWi-Fi hotspots may disappear at schools across the country
- The U.S. Senate approved a Republican-led resolution on May 6, 2025, to block the FCC’s 2024 rule allowing schools to lend Wi-Fi hotspots for student use off premises.
- The resolution followed concerns that the FCC program exceeds the Communications Act limits by funding off-premises use and risks parental control over content.
- The FCC’s rule, issued under Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, aimed to close the homework gap by enabling federally subsidized hotspot lending starting July 2025 via the Universal Service Fund.
- The Senate voted 53-47 to advance the resolution, with Senator Ted Cruz stating the program "impedes parents' ability" and opponents warning it would deprive millions of vital internet access.
- If the resolution passes the House and is signed by the president, it would end the hotspot lending program, potentially widening the digital divide as schools increasingly rely on digital tools like AI.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Wi-Fi hotspots may disappear at schools across the country
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Many schools and libraries across the U.S. have provided Wi-Fi hotspots to students under a Biden administration policy but that program is now one step closer to being overturned after the Senate voted Thursday to repeal the rule. Senate Republicans used the Congressional Review Act to strike down the Federal Communications Commission initiative that funded Wi-Fi hotspot access for students. It was a 50-38 vote. Sen. Ted …
Congress votes to pull funding for free Wi-Fi hotspots at schools and libraries
The Senate has voted to end a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule that used federal funding to cover Wi-Fi hotspots that could be used outside of school and libraries. The program, first implemented by former FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, applied funds from the $2.6 billion federal E-Rate program to a program that enabled schools and libraries to provide free Wi-Fi hotspots to children and others with poor or no internet access a…
U.S. Senate ends FCC free Wi-Fi hotspots for underserved communities
Photo courtesy of Newconnect.co.za MIAMI – The U.S. Senate has decided to end a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that funded free Wi-Fi hotspots outside schools and libraries for underserved citizens. The program allowed those who couldn’t afford wireless technology services to have free Wi-Fi access at the hotspots. The FCC program used roughly $2.6 billion in federal funding nationwide. According to Vergo, prior to the vote, Sen…
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