FCC Staff Waives Some E-rate, RHC Gift Rules Due to COVID-19
FCC staff waived some USF healthcare and E-rate gift rules amid COVID-19. Some stakeholders had sought these and other actions.
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The Wireline Bureau allowed service providers to offer until Sept. 30, and Rural Health Care and E-rate program participants to seek and to get, "improved connections or additional equipment for telemedicine or remote learning during the coronavirus outbreak." That lets healthcare providers, schools and libraries get improved capacity, Wi-Fi hot spots, networking gear, and other equipment and services, the FCC announced Wednesday afternoon.
“The increase in COVID-19 patients is presenting unique challenges to America’s hospitals and health care providers,” said Chairman Ajit Pai. He said telemedicine can help, as can remote learning for students "home for an extended period." Private-sector efforts can "complement the Commission’s ongoing work with Congress to appropriate funds for a Remote Learning Initiative and a COVID Connected Care Pilot," he added.