SHLB Applauds FCC’s Proposal to Amend E-rate Program Amid Connectivity Crisis

For Immediate Release

Contact: Saskya Cabral
PR & Marketing Director
scabral@shlb.org

Washington, D.C. (June 26, 2024)—Today, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, the leading advocate for open, affordable broadband access for anchor institutions and their communities, applauds the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its announcement to vote on a Report and Order amending the E-rate program. 

 "Over 23 million households lost their ACP subsidy earlier this month, and another 8 million households are losing their subsidy from the Emergency Connectivity Fund at the end of June,” said John Windhausen, executive director of SHLB. “This is a disastrous situation for our nation's disconnected and low-income families. Fortunately, the FCC Chairwoman is proposing a much-needed and well-founded step to amend the E-rate program to enable schools and libraries to provide wireless Internet services to families in need. The SHLB Coalition strongly supports this initiative. This is the fourth step in the Chair's "Learn Without Limits" initiative, and we commend her proactive vision, leadership, and commitment to closing the Homework Gap." 

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About SHLB

The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C. and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations from across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.