FCC OKs Some ECF Connected Device Requests

The FCC Wireline Bureau granted five of seven waiver requests on the Emergency Connectivity Fund's $400 cap for connected devices, said an order Tuesday in docket 21-93. All the petitioners serve students and staff with disabilities. St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and NYSARC-New York City Chapter, AHRC New York City were granted a waiver. Fresno Unified School District's two waiver requests were granted. The Bay Area Technology School was denied a waiver to buy equipment accessories and more than one connected device per student. Health Science High & Middle College in San Diego was denied a waiver to purchase connected devices "compatible with software used in a specialty academic program focused on career preparation." The bureau directed the Universal Service Administrative Co. to complete its review of the seven funding requests within 60 days.