Padilla Announces Over $70 Million in Emergency Connectivity Funds for CA

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) Sept. 28, announced that California schools and libraries will receive over $70 million from the Federal Communication Commission’s or FCC $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund or ECF to help get their patrons, students, and staff online. 

Last week, the FCC announced that it is committing more than $1.2 billion in ECF program funding to schools and libraries. Senator Padilla said that since the program went live on May 12, more than 730,000 households in California have enrolled in the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which helps subsidize the cost of broadband for households.

In July, Senator Padilla hosted an informational webinar with Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to encourage local libraries and school districts across the Golden State to apply for the Emergency Connectivity Fund. In light of outstanding demand, the FCC will open the second application filing window—which will run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 13 — to provide support for the current school year. 

Funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus learning, such as homework. 

Sen. Padilla also encouraged Californians to enroll in the Emergency Broadband Benefit which provides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Additionally, through this program households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Schools and libraries across California that are eligible for support under the FCC’s E-Rate program are eligible to request and receive support through the Emergency Connectivity Fund program. Tribal libraries eligible for support under the Library Services and Technology Act are also eligible for support under the program.