The Federal Communications Commission voted today to devote an extra $5 billion over the next five years toward expanding Wi-Fi networks in schools and libraries.

"The effort will potentially provide a 75 percent increase in Wi-Fi funding for rural schools over the next five years and a 60 percent increase for urban schools, delivering Wi-Fi to an additional 10 million students in 2015 alone," the commission said in an announcement. Wi-Fi networks are needed to deliver wireless Internet access to the tablets and laptops students increasingly use in classrooms.

The $5 billion over five years is in addition to E-rate's annual budget of $2.4 billion.

The plan was approved 3-2, with Democrats led by Chairman Tom Wheeler voting in favor and Republicans voting against. The majority said the plan will modernize the nation's E-rate program, which provides discounted telecommunications services, Internet access, and equipment to eligible schools and libraries. It is paid for by the Universal Service Fund, which in turn is funded by US residents through surcharges on phone bills.

The FCC's order today was accompanied by a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which seeks comment on the "Long-term program funding needs necessary to meet goals and funding targets established in the Order," according to an FCC fact sheet.

The majority seems to believe that extra surcharges won't be necessary. In the next two years, $2 billion will be made available "through improved financial management practices that free up excess reserves," the FCC announcement said. "For the following three years, the program will target $1 billion annually to Wi-Fi—while continuing to ensure funding is available for broadband connectivity to schools and libraries—by phasing out support for non-broadband services, such as pagers and phones, and through increased efficiencies."

Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai is doubtful, saying during today's meeting that "any talk of fiscal responsibility will be short-lived. In five months, maybe six, we’ll be back at this table discussing how much to increase Americans’ phone bills. Universal service contribution rates have jumped 60 percent under this administration. What’s a few billion dollars more?"

The FCC is also aiming to simplify the application process to make it easier for schools and libraries to apply. Even here, though, Pai said that "schools and libraries generally still have to fill out a 17-page application to receive funding." They'll also have to follow "specialized procurement rules," wait months to receive any funding comments, and decide how to spend E-rate funds "up to a year before the school year begins."

Pai argued that schools and libraries should be given more leeway to make their own decisions on how to spend the money.

In a less controversial move, the FCC today also voted to make up to $100 million available for "experiments" that will help the agency expand rural broadband. This includes "$75 million to test construction of networks offering service plans providing 25 Mpbs downloads and 5 Mbps uploads."