Good news from the FCC!

Commission rules prohibit entities eligible for the RHC and E-Rate programs from soliciting or

accepting anything of value from a service provider participating or seeking to participate in

those programs. Today’s waiver will allow health care providers, schools, and libraries to

accept improved capacity, Wi-Fi hotspots, networking gear, or other equipment or services to

support doctors and patients, teachers and students, and librarians and patrons during the

coronavirus outbreak. For example, some providers have expressed interest in providing free

network upgrades for hospitals that need more robust connections to treat patients via

telemedicine and free connected devices and hotspots for students who will be taking classes at

home. This waiver will enable them to do such things.

Sonya Schryer Norris

Library Consultant

Library of Michigan

Michigan Department of Education

517-335-1498

Norriss2@michigan.gov