FCC Gets Nearly $1.3B in ECF Round 2 Requests

The FCC received nearly $1.3 billion in funding requests during the second application filing window for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, it said Monday. Applicants sought funding for nearly 2.4 million devices and more than 564,000 broadband services. “Clearly there still is a tremendous demand for help in our communities to meet the broadband needs of students and library patrons engaged in online learning,” said acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The commission also committed an additional $269 million in funding for applicants from the initial filing window, bringing the total to more than $2.6 billion committed (see 2110120068). “This historic program is now providing nine million students with the devices and internet connections they need to succeed," said Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., in a statement: "We must provide additional E-rate home connectivity dollars and keep this program going for our most vulnerable children. So I am once again calling on my colleagues to replenish the Emergency Connectivity Fund by passing my SUCCESS Act as part of our budget reconciliation package" (see 2107220049).