FCC lets schools receiving federal money for Internet connections give general public access

Schools with fed funds can give public Web access

WASHINGTON — Public schools receiving federal funding for their Internet connections may now allow the public to use those connections outside school hours.

The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to let schools that get money from the federal E-Rate program offer community members use of their Internet connections when school is not in session.

The program, which also funds Internet access in libraries, had required schools to use the Web connections only for educational purposes. But that meant they went largely unused at night, over weekends and during other breaks.

E-Rate is part of the federal Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes communication services in poor and rural areas.