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Challenge Telecom Steps In to Fit E-Price Bargain and Offer protection to Reasonably priced Wi-Fi for Faculties and Libraries Amid FCC Cuts


Unutilized deal is helping communities find the money for college bus Wi-Fi and cellular hotspots then the FCC’s contemporary E-Price investment cuts

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mission Telecom, a nonprofit telecommunications supplier and grantmaker devoted to increasing virtual fairness, lately introduced a untouched deal to backup colleges and libraries stay complete then dropping federal E-Price investment for Wi-Fi hotspots and college bus connectivity. Underneath the untouched deal, Challenge Telecom is honoring the post-discount applicant proportion of price on Method 471, now not the quote price from the supplier, maintaining colleges and libraries attached by way of masking the lack of E-rate subsidies.

The Federal Communications Fee (FCC)’s contemporary resolution to get rid of E-rate program investment protection for school bus Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots worsens the virtual divide around the nation, particularly for college kids in low-income and rural communities. With out those sources, millions of scholars and lifetime newcomers possibility falling at the back of.

“Just two weeks ago, the FCC made the unfortunate decision to end E-Rate support for school bus Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots. But that decision widens the digital divide,” mentioned Mark Colwell, Director of Broadband Operations at Challenge Telecom. “Communities still rely on these tools to keep students and library patrons connected. That’s why Mission Telecom is stepping in to help schools and libraries worried about maintaining this critical connectivity with tight budgets. By matching their subsidized E-Rate costs, we are helping provide affordable, reliable broadband so that every student and lifelong learner can stay connected.”

To qualify for Challenge Telecom’s untouched deal, colleges and libraries want to whole this sign-up form and due to this fact grant a magazine in their E-Price Method 471 for hotspots or bus Wi-Fi. Challenge Telecom will later fit their post-discount price for broadband, making sure limitless 4G/5G Wi-Fi provider on the similar charge they’d have paid beneath E-Price. Early comments has been overwhelmingly certain, with companions and individuals praising this system’s pleasure and have an effect on.

“For the many libraries approved for E-Rate hotspot funding in FY 2025, only to have it snatched away retroactively by the FCC, Mission Telecom’s offer will protect books and services that would otherwise be cut,” mentioned Sam Helmick, President of the American Library Association. “We are deeply appreciative that an internet service provider is stepping up to fill the gap left by the FCC this year. Americans, especially those in small and rural communities, need a sustainable solution for broadband. ALA looks forward to the FCC’s Plan B to ensure everyone has affordable, adequate internet access for everyday needs, wherever they live.”

“The current FCC just created a crisis that has left schools and libraries nationwide holding the bag and forced to either cancel their hotspot and school bus Wi-Fi programs, or face a budget shortfall,” mentioned Joseph Wender, Govt Director of the Schools, Health & Libraries (SHLB) Broadband Coalition. “SHLB is optimistic about how the market is responding to provide solutions that help these vital anchor institutions maintain these important programs.”

“Thanks to Mission Telecom for stepping up to support school districts and libraries impacted by the FCC’s recent decision to eliminate E-Rate funding for school bus Wi-Fi and student hotspots,” mentioned Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN – The Consortium for School Networking. “In a time when digital equity remains critical, Mission Telecom’s leadership is a vital step forward to ensure all students can stay connected and keep learning when they leave the classroom.”

Key Main points of the Trade in:

  • Assured pricing on provider thru June 30, 2026
  • Applies to cellular hotspots and college bus Wi-Fi systems
  • Limitless plans with 4G/5G broadband and Deliver Your Personal Tool (BYOD) choices to be had
  • Incorrect long-term or complicated word of honour, refuse activation or termination charges
  • Rapid setup: Separate SIM playing cards send inside 3–5 industry days
  • CIPA-compliant filtering without charge

This deal builds on Challenge Telecom’s Mission-Connect, introduced in July to backup colleges and libraries keep attached amid E-Price dubiousness. Faculties and libraries that don’t meet the necessities for this deal however wish to discover alternative reasonably priced, best-in-class connectivity choices with Challenge Telecom are welcome to achieve out.

For more info or to use, please seek advice from: https://missiontelecom.org/who-we-serve/e-rate-broadband-fcc-offer/.

About Challenge Telecom
 Mission Telecom  is a nonprofit telecommunications supplier and grantmaker devoted to increasing virtual fairness and using systemic alternate. We’re ultimate the virtual divide with best-in-class, reasonably priced wi-fi broadband services and products and equipping colleges, libraries, and nonprofits with the connectivity and sources to energy get right of entry to and alternative at each and every stage. Our daring philanthropic program finances grassroots organizations that move multiracial freedom, motion infrastructure, and telecom justice, growing lasting have an effect on of their communities.

SOURCE Challenge Telecom



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