WB Partially Grants SHLB ECF Petition, Extends Service Delivery Date

Emergency Connectivity Fund participants that applied for support during the first two application filing windows may use June 30, 2023, as the service delivery date for all requests, said an FCC Wireline Bureau order Tuesday in docket 21-93 partially granting a request from the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, Consortium for School Networking, State Educational Technology Directors Association, and American Library Association (see 2202100069). The relief was limited to requests for equipment, other nonrecurring services, and recurring services. The updated rule takes effect upon Federal Register publication. SHLB is "so appreciative" of the Wireline Bureau "for discussing these challenges with both SHLB staff and applicants," said Executive Director John Windhausen in a statement: "Today’s order shows that their team has been listening, and it will free schools and libraries to make the biggest impact with their ECF dollars.”