Federal Communications Commission intends to discontinue Wi-Fi services on school buses and hotspots for librarygoers
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the potential elimination of a program that provides temporary internet access to millions of Americans, particularly those without the means to afford Wi-Fi at home.
At the heart of this controversy is FCC Chairman, Jesse Carr, who is moving to undo the Biden administration's hotspot program. This decision has been met with opposition from some commissioners, most notably Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the FCC.
Gomez issued a dissenting statement on Carr's proposals, calling them an example of the "cruelty and indifference" of the Trump administration to the plight of disadvantaged Americans. Millions of students and seniors depend on hotspots and school bus Wi-Fi for homework and tele-health services, and the elimination of the program could leave them without these essential resources.
However, Carr argues that the FCC is moving to protect taxpayers and parents' ability to decide what their children can access online. The full text of Carr's proposals isn't shared until they're adopted, but it's understood that they aim to give parents more control over their children's internet usage.
The child safety concern is a weak argument given how Wi-Fi enabled devices used by schools have to be configured with built-in firewalls or other guardrails to prevent unauthorized use. Nevertheless, the issue of internet safety for children remains a significant concern for many parents.
In a recent shake-up at the FCC, Gomez was replaced by Gigi Sohn as the sole Democrat. This change could potentially alter the balance of power at the Commission, with Sohn likely to vote against Carr's proposals. Despite this, votes can be made at the Commissioners' discretion, and Gomez hasn't yet voted on the matter.
An item on circulation at the Commission could lead to a vote on the matter at any time outside of a normal monthly FCC Open Meeting. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this issue will unfold and what the future holds for the hotspot program.
In conclusion, the potential elimination of the hotspot program has sparked a heated debate at the FCC, with Chairman Carr pushing for its removal and Commissioner Gomez strongly opposing the decision. The impact of this decision on millions of students and seniors who rely on the program for essential services is a significant concern, and the outcome of this debate could have far-reaching implications.
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