A federal program that helps schools and libraries across the country afford their monthly internet bills could soon be on the chopping block, as the head of the Federal Communications Commission has called for a review of the subsidy.
The FCC chairman asked for the program to be examined — a move that could ultimately lead to its elimination. Notably, the chairman had already been calling for an end to the program before he was selected for his current position.
The program works by funneling money collected from consumer fees through the federal government, which then helps schools and libraries reduce what they pay for internet service each month. Both public schools and some private schools benefit from the arrangement.
If the subsidy is cut, schools that rely on the program could face much steeper internet bills, potentially affecting students’ access to online resources and technology in the classroom.
