Support the Extension of the Emergency Connectivity Fund

-
Support the Extension of the Emergency Connectivity Fund
-
Document
Support the Extension of the Emergency Connectivity Fund
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your Members of Congress to support additional appropriations for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), a program administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which provides devices and high-speed internet support to students and library patrons who are of need across the country. The ECF has entered its final round of direct funding support for schools and libraries, and funds for the program are expected to be exhausted in 2023.
BACKGROUND:
The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) was originally authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to allow schools and libraries to provide the resources necessary to serve their communities via remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency. To date, the ECF has provided assistance to nearly 15 million students for the reasonable costs of eligible equipment and services for off-campus use by students, school staff and library patrons. Eligible equipment and services include tablets and laptop computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and broadband connectivity purchases.
The ECF has enjoyed high demand throughout the duration of the program. With current appropriation levels of $7.17 billion, approximately $6 billion in funds have been expended to date. The current application period includes requests for over $2.8 billion in funding, which is more than double the amount that remains available for the ECF. As a result, the absence of additional appropriations means that many requests will not be met by the FCC. This will potentially leave students disconnected at a time when learning loss and teacher shortages are leading concerns.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
- The Emergency Connectivity Fund is a critical lifeline to supporting county anchor institutions that interface daily with our community members and provide the tools and resources that keep them online.
- Additional appropriations for the Emergency Connectivity Fund will help continue to bolster the efficacy of remote learning and telehealth services for unconnected residents who rely on public resources for connecting to high-speed internet.
ACTION NEEDED:2023-02-01Policy Brief2023-02-01
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your Members of Congress to support additional appropriations for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), a program administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which provides devices and high-speed internet support to students and library patrons who are of need across the country. The ECF has entered its final round of direct funding support for schools and libraries, and funds for the program are expected to be exhausted in 2023.
BACKGROUND:
The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) was originally authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to allow schools and libraries to provide the resources necessary to serve their communities via remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency. To date, the ECF has provided assistance to nearly 15 million students for the reasonable costs of eligible equipment and services for off-campus use by students, school staff and library patrons. Eligible equipment and services include tablets and laptop computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and broadband connectivity purchases.
The ECF has enjoyed high demand throughout the duration of the program. With current appropriation levels of $7.17 billion, approximately $6 billion in funds have been expended to date. The current application period includes requests for over $2.8 billion in funding, which is more than double the amount that remains available for the ECF. As a result, the absence of additional appropriations means that many requests will not be met by the FCC. This will potentially leave students disconnected at a time when learning loss and teacher shortages are leading concerns.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
- The Emergency Connectivity Fund is a critical lifeline to supporting county anchor institutions that interface daily with our community members and provide the tools and resources that keep them online.
- Additional appropriations for the Emergency Connectivity Fund will help continue to bolster the efficacy of remote learning and telehealth services for unconnected residents who rely on public resources for connecting to high-speed internet.

About Seamus Dowdall (Full Bio)
Associate Legislative Director – Telecommunications & Technology
Seamus is the associate legislative director for telecommunications & technology on NACo's government affairs team.More from Seamus Dowdall
-
Blog
USDA announces open funding round for the Community Connect Program
On March 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new funding available under the Community Connect Program. -
-
Policy Brief
Support Community Broadband Act
Urge your Members of Congress to support the Community Broadband Act, which is a bill that prohibits states from blocking the provision of broadband by public providers, public-private partnership providers, or cooperatively organized providers. The bill would furthermore require that public providers and state or local entities participating in a partnership administer applicable ordinances and rules without discrimination against competing private providers. -
Blog
FCC announces funding opportunity for ACP community outreach programs
On November 21, the Federal Communications Commission announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program and the Your Home, Your Internet Program. -
Blog
FCC releases report on preventing digital discrimination
On November 7, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) released a list of recommendations and best practices that local governments can follow to prevent digital discrimination and promote digital equity. -
Blog
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Releases New Broadband Map on Friday, November 18
On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the first draft of its new National Broadband Map, a comprehensive, location-by-location view of high-speed Internet availability across the nation.
Contact
-
Associate Legislative Director – Telecommunications & Technology(202) 942-4212
Related News
-
BlogUSDA announces open funding round for the Community Connect ProgramMar. 23, 2023
-
BlogFCC announces funding opportunity for ACP community outreach programsDec. 6, 2022
-
BlogFCC releases report on preventing digital discriminationNov. 22, 2022
Related Resources
-
VideoCIO Forum: RISE to the FutureFeb. 10, 2023
-
Policy BriefSupport Community Broadband ActFeb. 1, 2023
-
DocumentHelp ensure your county receives the broadband support it needsOct. 13, 2022
Upcoming Events
-
29Mar2023Webinar
County Strategies to Provide Supportive Housing for Familiar Faces
Mar. 29, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
29Mar2023Webinar
NACo Membership Call: Update on Climate and Permitting Legislation
Mar. 29, 2023 , 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm -
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
-
Outreach Toolkit for Counties: the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
Through the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, counties have a central role in providing all residents with an equal chance to connect to high-speed internet in their homes.
Learn More