Schools and libraries have requested support for 12.9 million devices via the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF). There were two ECF filing windows in 2021. Reviewing the applications sheds light on the urgent need for laptop computers and internet access for millions of K-12 students and library patrons. 9.4 laptop computers were requested along with another 1.7 million tablet computers.
Connected learning devices represented two-thirds of the $6.3 billion in support that was requested. 17% of the funds were requested for mobile broadband.