On October 3, 2016, Senator Udall from New Mexico sent FCC Chairman Wheeler a letter asking the FCC to use its authority to help close the “homework gap” where students still need broadband access in order to complete homework assignments. Specifically, Senator Udall is calling “on the Commission to use its existing authority to allow E-rate to support school bus Wi-Fi service in a manner that is both technically feasible and economically reasonable…” Senator Udall will introduce legislation in order to provide the FCC flexibility if the FCC believes it currently does not have the authority to expand E-rate in this capacity.
Senator Udall’s letter to Chairman Wheeler can be viewed here.