FCC chairman leads “cruel” vote to take Wi-Fi access away from school kids

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to eliminate funding for two programs that provided internet access to students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. The decision, led by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, has been criticized as "cruel" by advocacy groups. The first program targeted Wi-Fi hotspot lending, which allowed schools and libraries to lend portable hotspot devices to students who lacked internet access at home. The second program funded the installation of Wi-Fi on school buses, enabling students to continue their studies during their commute. The FCC's Republican majority voted to terminate these initiatives, citing budget constraints and a belief that the programs were outside the FCC's core mission. However, the move has drawn widespread backlash from education advocates, who argue that it will disproportionately impact low-income and marginalized students, further widening the digital divide. Critics have accused the FCC leadership of prioritizing cost-cutting over the educational needs of vulnerable students, especially in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has made remote learning more crucial than ever.