Dive Brief: The FCC Commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of a proposal to modernize the federal E-rate program, which helps schools and libraries get telecommunications and Internet access at a discounted rate. Chairman Tom Wheeler’s proposal will place more emphasis on Wi-Fi connectivity as opposed to the non-broadband and external broadband services the program has traditionally concentrated on, freeing up an estimated $1 billion a year for Wi-Fi services. Schools will receive $1.50 per student for the next two years. The proposal, which was approved along party lines, doesn’t raise the program’s cap, though that may still happen in future policy changes. Read more…
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