FCC's Pai Says Wheeler Is Politicizing Wi-Fi In Schools

Ajit Pai

A Republican on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is accusing FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler of politicizing the agency’s program to boost Internet access in schools and libraries, according to The Hill.

In a statement on Tuesday, Commissioner Ajit Pai said negotiations over Wheeler’s plan to change the program have broken down because the chairman is “determined to pass this item on a party-line vote,” without the input of the FCC’s two Republicans.

“I am disappointed that this is becoming the Commission norm on high-profile items,” he said.

Wheeler’s proposal would funnel $5 billion over the next five years to provide and upgrade Wi-Fi in tens of thousands of schools and libraries on top of the annual $2.4 billion budget for the agency’s E-Rate program.

That proposal, which Wheeler first unveiled last month, is going to be voted on at the commission’s monthly meeting Friday.

Read More Now