Meet the Experts

• Moderator: John Windhausen Jr., executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Abbey Roudebush, Director of Government Affairs & Policy, EducationSuperHighway
• Nate Denny, Deputy Secretary for Broadband & Digital Equity, N.C. Department of Information Technology
• Kristen Corra, Policy Counsel, SHLB Coalition

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White House Summit K-12 Cybersecurity Takeaways

August 2023

 

Analyzing NTIA's Changes to the bead state challenge process

July 2023

 

Lessons Learned from ECF to Enhance E-Rate

June 2023

   

Exploring the Role of Anchors in ACP Enrollment 

May 2023

   

Do Anchors Hold the key to beads success?

April 2023

  

As states develop their BEAD 5-year plans, they are advised by the NOFO to leverage “existing infrastructure” and to “minimize BEAD program outlays” in order to stretch the funds to the best possible effect. Many anchor institutions across the country already have publicly-funded fiber connections which could be leveraged to connect the surrounding community. Anchors with less than 1 gig connections are eligible for BEAD funds and could be a key tenant on last-mile network builds. Extending service from anchor institutions to surrounding homes via wireless could be a particularly cost-effective way to connect unserved and underserved homes. This webinar explores the potential role of anchors in advancing connectivity to the un and underserved through the BEAD program.

 

Meet the Experts

• Moderator: John Windhausen Jr., executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Andrew Butcher, President, The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA)
• Joseph Sawasky, President and CEO, Merit Network, Inc.
• Claude Aiken, Chief Strategy Officer/Chief Legal Officer, Nextlink Internet

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The "To and Through" Opportunity: New Research From SHLB & OTI

August 2022

  

A big question is floating around the broadband space right now: How do we make the most of our nation’s historic investment in closing the digital divide? One key opportunity will be leveraging schools, libraries, and other community anchor institutions. The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition and the Wireless Future Project at New America’s Open Technology Institute are partnering to release new research which finds that extending anchor institutions’ broadband networks off-campus has both social and economic advantages.

Join us for the official release of this critical new economic study. Author Dr. Raul Katz will present his findings. Additionally, you’ll hear directly from anchor institution representatives - profiled in a companion collection of case studies of school and community networks - about how they’re deploying wireless ‘to and through’ anchors to connect their surrounding communities.

Meet the Experts

• Michael Calabrese, director, Wireless Future Project, Open Technology Institute at New America
• Selwyn Hollins, director, Internal Services Department, Los Angeles County
• Dr. Raul Katz, president, Telecom Advisory Services
• Dr. Philip Neufeld, executive officer, technology services, Fresno Unified School District
• John Stile, chief technology officer, Council Bluffs Community School District
• John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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Telehealth is Changing - Can Broadband Networks Keep Up?

July 2022

  

Telehealth has emerged as a critical tool for healthcare providers and their patients, especially since the onset of COVID-19. The marketplace is changing: Healthcare providers are shifting their operations to accommodate high telehealth demand, and navigating pay discrepancies between in-person and virtual visits, for starters. And of course, the increase in demand means that healthcare institutions need additional bandwidth. Programs like the Connected Care Pilot, the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, and the Rural Health Care Program are supposed to address this need, but are they doing so effectively? Join SHLB’s next webinar to explore how broadband programs can better support the new realities of the telehealth marketplace.

Meet the Experts

• Gregrey Hall, director of telehealth IT, Center for Telehealth, University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Brian Scarpelli, senior global policy counsel, ACT | The App Association/Connected Health Initiative
• Jennifer Stoll, executive vice president, external affairs, OCHIN
• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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BEAD and Middle Mile: Post-NOFO Updates for Anchor Institutions

June 2022

  

We now have rules in hand for two of the highly anticipated broadband programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program. The Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for each program answer some of the broadband community’s questions about timing and the application process, but some questions remain open.

Will states include anchor institutions in their broadband plans? What do we make of the vague definitions of “remote,” “unserved,” and “underserved”? Will “Build America, Buy America'' requirements delay these critical infrastructure projects? Will Middle Mile applications to NTIA have to reference the broadband maps of unserved/underserved areas? Join SHLB’s next webinar to tackle these questions and review the NOFOs as they relate to schools, libraries, and other anchor institutions.

Meet the Experts

• Claude Aiken, chief strategy officer/chief legal officer, Nextlink Internet
• Joshua D. Edmonds, director of digital inclusion, City of Detroit
• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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Applying for E-rate is Hard...Could It Get Harder?

May 2022

  

In order to reduce the "risk" of waste, fraud, and abuse within the E-rate program, the Federal Communications Commission is considering changes to the competitive bidding rules that could take decision-making authority away from schools and libraries. SHLB and many E-rate applicants have come out staunchly against this proposal, fearing that it would be so burdensome that some schools and libraries won't apply for E-rate at all. While commenters have suggested that the FCC should look at improving its data analytics, a group of telephone companies have signaled support for the competitive bidding proposal. This webinar explores why the FCC is pursuing a nationalized competitive bidding process, and what alternative measures would be more cost-effective. We also hear from a representative of the telephone companies about their perspective on the issue.

Meet the Experts

• Clare Liedquist Andonov, principal, Herman & Whiteaker, LLC
• Jim Kerr, principal, KB & Associates
• Beverly Sutherland, president and CEO, EdTechnologyFunds
• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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NEXT STEPS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND BROADBAND PROGRAM

March 2022

  

The $10 billion Capital Projects Fund (CPF) is in full swing. The U.S. Treasury Department has already started receiving and reviewing state grant plans, while other states are still preparing their submissions. One key question for all states is how anchor institutions will factor into these plans, especially considering CPF's relative flexibility. Join us for a discussion with Treasury’s CPF director and state broadband leaders covering the CPF process, how states' plans are coming together, how they complement anticipated Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program investments, and the role of anchors in connecting their communities.

Meet the Experts

• Peggy Schaffer, director, ConnectME Authority
• Joseph Wender, director, Capital Projects Fund, U.S. Department of Treasury
• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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NEXT STEPS FOR IIJA BROADBAND PROGRAMS

February 2022

  

On February 4, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) received comments on how to distribute more than $48 billion in broadband funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). With the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Digital Equity Act, and the Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure (MMBI) Grant Program all in the mix, there’s a lot to discuss. Tune in for the SHLB Coalition’s webinar to understand recommendations from different stakeholders, key disputes, and potential challenges that will impact how the NTIA administers these historic broadband programs.

Meet the Experts

• Michelle Frisque, consultant, American Library Association; principal, Michelle Frisque Consulting Group, LLC
• Jen Leasure, president and CEO, The Quilt
• Andrew Schwartzman, senior counselor, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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SOLVING THE NETWORK SECURITY CRISIS FOR ANCHORS

November 2021

  

Cyberattacks on schools, libraries, and other anchor institutions are persistent, escalating at a substantial cost to budgets, privacy, and operations. Estimates suggest that cyberattacks cost schools and colleges an average seven days of downtime and financial losses exceeding $6 billion. Unfortunately, the federal E-rate program does not cover cybersecurity expenses. In this webinar, experts from education and the industry will explore ways that the policy environment could better support cyber protections for anchor institution broadband.

Meet the Panel of Experts

• Amy McLaughlin, cybersecurity & network consultant/project lead, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN); executive director of technical and solutions architecture, University IT, Oregon State University
• Flynn Rico-Johnson, deputy chief of staff, Office of Congresswoman Doris Matsui
• Bob Turner, field chief information security officer - higher education, Fortinet
• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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NAVIGATING NEW FUNDING FOR A MORE INCLUSIVE DIGITAL WORLD

October 2021

  

A dizzying number of new federal funding programs have created exciting opportunities to address broadband inequities in US communities. New state initiatives are also cropping up, geared towards increasing digital equity. And there may be more to come. For local digital inclusion organizations and coalitions, navigating these programs to match the right resources with community needs is the new challenge. This panel of local, state, and federal experts will provide shared perspectives into how digital inclusion funding and legislation is changing the digital inclusion landscape, how stakeholders should consider leveraging the funds, and what still needs to be done to close the digital divide.

Meet the Panel of Experts

• Angela Bennett, director of advocacy and impact, DigitalC
• Amy Huffman, policy director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)
• Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel, Public Knowledge
• Olivia Wein, staff attorney, National Consumer Law Center

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REPAIRING BROKEN BROADBAND POLICY: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. CHRISTOPHER ALI

September 2021

  

Before the pandemic-driven surge of public investment in broadband networks, the federal government had subsidized rural broadband by approximately $6 billion a year. So why does the rural-urban digital divide persist? Why are we looking to the new infrastructure bill to solve a problem that should have been solved a decade ago? Author of Farm Fresh Broadband Dr. Christopher Ali argues that rural broadband policy is both broken and incomplete, proposing a new national broadband plan. Join SHLB Coalition Executive Director John Windhausen for a virtual fireside chat with Dr. Ali, to pick his brain on where the U.S. is going wrong and how to course correct rural broadband policy moving forward. And of course, they’ll discuss where community anchor institutions fit into it all.

Dr. Christopher Ali is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media Studies at the University of Virginia. He holds a PhD in Communication Studies from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. His research interests include: communication policy and regulation, rural broadband, critical political economy, critical geography, media localism, and local news. You can find his new book, Farm Fresh Broadband, at the MIT Press website.

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USFORWARD: SECURING USF FOR THE FUTURE

September 2021

 

The Universal Service Fund (USF) programs are critical to connecting our nation, but the mechanism that funds these initiatives is unstable and much-needed reform is long overdue. In this webinar, the SHLB Coalition, INCOMPAS, NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association, and Public Knowledge join forces to unpack new research from Mattey Consulting, LLC that reveals the best path forward: Expanding the existing revenues-based contributions base to include revenues from broadband internet access. Speakers will cover how the FCC has authority to act, why revenues are the right answer compared to other options, and why doing nothing while waiting for Congress to act is unnecessary and unwise.

Featuring a USForward report overview by Carol Mattey, Mattey Consulting, LLC

Meet the Panel of Experts

• Moderator: Kelcee Griffis, senior telecom reporter, Law360
• Greg Guice, director of government affairs, Public Knowledge
• Michael Romano, senior vice president of industry affairs and business development, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association
• Lindsay Stern, attorney and policy adviser, INCOMPAS
• John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition

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ESTABLISHING A TELEHEALTH CENTER IN YOUR LIBRARY

August 2021

 

Libraries play a critical role in maintaining the welfare and safety of our communities. As we move forward, telehealth in libraries will become increasingly important, enabling patrons who may lack internet access to connect to their healthcare providers. Join Craig Settles, author of the “Telehealth Guide to Connecting Library Patrons to Better Health,” the Indiana Library Federation’s Michael Williams, and ENA’s Brian Hubbard for best practices and tips for getting started in telehealth. Attendees will learn what telehealth looks like in a library setting, hear use cases of libraries that have established their own telehealth programs, and understand the broadband infrastructure needed to facilitate these programs.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Craig Settles, industry consultant
• Michael Williams, president, Indiana Library Federation
• Brian Hubbard, senior manager of customer services, ENA

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MAKE-READY FOR BROADBAND: ARE POLES GETTING IN THE WAY?

April 2021

 

Support for federal broadband funding to connect rural America has never been stronger, but pole attachment rules and other rights-of-way issues are impeding deployment of both wired and wireless networks. Accessing utility poles and obtaining rights-of-way permitting can create significant delays and sometimes make up a third of the total cost to build, making these areas uneconomic to serve. How can policymakers and broadband stakeholders reduce these costs and streamline approvals while respecting the rights of owners? Watch this webinar for different perspectives on how to address these challenges.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Greg Guice, director of government affairs, Public Knowledge
• Rebecca Hussey, managing counsel, utility relations, Crown Castle
• Bob Stovall, vice president for strategy & research, Merit Network 
• Corian Zacher, policy counsel, state & local initiatives, Next Century Cities

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WHAT COULD SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES DO WITH $7 BILLION?

March 2021

 

In a groundbreaking move, Congress is providing $7 billion in new funding to help schools and libraries support remote learning by extending their broadband connections off-campus. The opportunity formally opens a new door to exciting possibilities for how schools and libraries serve their communities. As these anchors prepare their applications for this funding, what can they learn from those that have already traveled this road? On our next webinar, SHLB will explore “ to and through” case studies that schools and libraries can model to close the digital divide for their students and patrons.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Laura Cole, BiblioTech director, BiblioTech Public Library
• Selvon Smith, vice president, information technology and CIO, Brooklyn Public Library
• Rajesh Adusumilli, CIO and assistant superintendent for information services, Arlington Public Schools

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RDOF'S IMPACT ON ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS

February 2021

 

The Federal Communications Commission recently concluded the controversial Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auctions, kicking off its plan to disperse $9 billion to service providers over the next 10 years. Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai called the auction “the single largest step ever taken to bridge the digital divide,” but other broadband advocates are not so optimistic. The SHLB Coalition, for example, is troubled that funding recipients aren't required to serve schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and other anchor institutions. Fortunately, the RDOF took a technology-neutral approach to encourage a variety of business plans, which could bode well for deployment. Join us to explore how different kinds of broadband companies will make use of their RDOF funds and what these awards will mean for anchor institutions and their communities.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Marc A. Paul, vice president, policy, Charter Communications
• Brian O’Hara, senior director of regulatory issues – telecommunications and broadband, NRECA
• Louis Peraertz, vice president of policy, WISPA

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BIDEN AND BROADBAND

February 2021

 

President Biden ran for office on the promise of “Building Back Better,” including a commitment to expand broadband access to every American. Now that we’re in the thick of the first 100 days, how does the new Administration plan to deliver on this lofty goal? So far we’ve seen the President call upon the Federal Communications Commission to help students without home broadband, but it’s not just students who are stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide. To figure out what comes next, SHLB invites you to a special conversation with key broadband advisers who worked on the Biden campaign in their individual capacities. Join us to discuss prospects for legislation, FCC actions, and more.

Meet the Panelists

• Host: John Windhausen, executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Moderator: Jonathan Sallet, senior fellow, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
• Kathryn de Wit, broadband expert
• Anna M. Gomez, partner, Wiley Rein LLP

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BACK TO SCHOOL? BROADBAND SOLUTIONS FOR ONLINE LEARNING

July 2020

 

"Back to school" will not mean "back to normal" this fall. Almost every school system is making plans for a hybrid teaching model that includes significant online learning from home. Unfortunately, in some school districts, 20 to 30 percent of students do not have broadband at home, which poses a significant barrier to educational opportunity. Many school systems are struggling to address this broadband learning gap - some are providing hot spots and devices, others are upgrading their school broadband networks, while still others are exploring innovative options to provide their own wireless broadband services. SHLB's upcoming webinar explores how K-12 schools can prepare to meet the broadband challenges and needs of back-to-school during COVID-19.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: John Windhausen Jr., executive director, SHLB Coalition
• Michael Flood, vice president, strategy, Kajeet
• Matt Hiefield, teacher, equity team member, Beaverton School District (Oregon)
• Michael McKerley, vice president, chief technology officer, ENA

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BROADBAND ON THE HILL: A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

May 2020

 

Broadband legislation is having an unprecedented moment - a reaction to the urgent need to expedite connectivity amid COVID-19. Congress is considering bills to add $2 billion to the Rural Health Care Program, $4 billion to the E-rate program, $9 billion for Lifeline, $80 billion for broadband infrastructure, and $1.2 billion for digital literacy. Tune into SHLB's legislative update to hear from the key drivers of the effort to fund broadband connectivity for anchor institutions and everyone. We'll explore which bills will have the best chances of enactment, and what we can do to support these initiatives.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: Kelcee Griffis, Senior Telecom Reporter, Law360
• Asad Ramzanali, Legislative Director, Office of Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif.
• Joseph Wender, Senior Policy Adviser, Office of Senator Edward J. Markey, D-Mass.
• John Windhausen Jr., Executive Director, SHLB Coalition

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ANCHORING STATE BROADBAND EFFORTS

March 2020

 

States across the country are increasingly taking action to close gaps in broadband access. A new report from the Broadband Research Initiative at Pew Charitable Trusts explores nine states exemplifying “promising practices” in their broadband programs. Community anchor institutions (CAIs) are essential partners in closing the digital divide, on both a state and local level. “Anchoring State Broadband Efforts” will zero in on three case studies highlighted in Pew’s report that demonstrate the various roles CAIs play in shaping and executing state broadband initiatives.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: Anna Read, Officer, Broadband Research Initiative, Pew Charitable Trusts
• Crystal Ivey, Broadband Director, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
• Teresa Ferguson, Director - Federal Broadband Engagement, Colorado Broadband Office
• Eileen Harris, Development Director, human-I-T

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN THE RHC PROGRAM

January 2020

 

Although the FCC modernized the Rural Health Care (RHC) program with its August 2019 "Promoting Telehealth for Rural America" Report and Order, the community has several concerns about what's next for the program. Six organizations petitioned the FCC to reconsider portions of the Order, voicing concern that the changes it makes could raise broadband costs for healthcare providers. "Unfinished Business in the RHC Program" takes a magnifying glass to the issues petitioners identified for both the Healthcare Connect Fund and the Telecom Program.

Meet the Panelists

• Moderator: John Windhausen Jr., Executive Director, SHLB Coalition
• Jeffrey Mitchell, Attorney, Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, PLC
• Gina Spade, Attorney and Founder, Broadband Legal Strategies, LLC

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WHAT'S NEXT FOR E-RATE CATEGORY TWO?

December 2019

 

In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission established the Category Two budget approach within the E-rate program to accommodate internal connections like Wi-Fi. The Commission adopted the rules for a five-year pilot period, which is set to expire at the end of 2019. The FCC adopted an Order on December 3, 2019 making the Category Two budget approach permanent and making several important changes to the application process. "What's Next for E-rate Category Two?" decodes this Order and tells E-rate applicants what they need to know to obtain Category Two funding next year.

Meet the Presenters and Experts

• Moderator: John Windhausen Jr., Executive Director, SHLB Coalition
• Debra Kriete, State E-rate Coordinator, South Dakota; Chair, State E-rate Coordinators Alliance
• Michael McKerley, Chief Technology Officer, Education Networks of America
• John Harrington, CEO, Funds For Learning
• Julie Tritt Schell, State E-rate Coordinator, Pennsylvania

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MAPPING THE WAY TO BETTER BROADBAND

July 2019

 

We've all heard this popular refrain by now: the FCC's broadband mapping data is horribly inaccurate. How can we end the digital divide without knowing where it actually exists? The FCC promises to address its mapping issues with an Order in August 2019, and Congress is considering various proposals on its own. Yet many experts aren't waiting for the perfect legislation, and are tackling the discrepancies head-on with their own mapping projects. This webinar explores the latest and greatest developments in broadband mapping.

Meet the Panel

• Moderator: John Windhausen Jr., Executive Director, SHLB Coalition
• Bob Ballance, Principal, The Center for Internet as Infrastructure
• Sascha Meinrath, Palmer Chair in Telecommunications, Penn State University

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SCORING CONGRESSIONAL BROADBAND PROPOSALS

June 2019

 

The Hill has been abuzz about broadband infrastructure over the past few weeks. Congress is considering several bills that specifically address the need for high-quality broadband - but not all proposals acknowledge the connectivity needs of anchor institutions. "Scoring Congressional Broadband Proposals" will examine the broadband bills most likely to become law and discuss those with the most potential to attain the National Broadband Plan's goal of gigabit connectivity for all community anchor institutions.

Meet the Panel

• Moderator: John Windhausen Jr., Executive Director, SHLB Coalition
• Phillip Berenbroick, Senior Policy Counsel, Public Knowledge
• Michael Romano, Sr. Vice President of Industry Affairs & Business Development, NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association
• Thomas Cohen, Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

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UPDATE ON TV WHITE SPACE TECHNOLOGY

May 2019

 

Unlicensed spectrum has played an enormous role in allowing anchor institutions to expand their broadband connectivity. In March 2019, the FCC issued a Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration that removed some of the regulatory barriers hindering the deployment of TV white space (TVWS) technologies. Womble Bond Dickinson Partner Marty Stern will moderate a discussion with Microsoft Director of Technology Policy Michael Daum, Gigabit Libraries Network Executive Director Don Means, and Cornell Institute for Public Affairs Lecturer John Foote to explore what the amended TVWS rules mean for future deployments of the technology, and the implications for anchor institutions.

Meet the Panel

• Moderator: Marty Stern, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
• Michael Daum, Director of Technology Policy, Microsoft
• Don Means, Executive Director, Gigabit Libraries Network
• John Foote, Lecturer - Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy, Cornell Institute for Public Affairs

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HOW ANCHORS CAN BE DIGITAL INCLUSION LEADERS

April 2019

 

Community anchor institutions like schools and libraries are uniquely poised to drive digital inclusion efforts at the local, state, and national level. All across the country, anchors are using their high-capacity broadband to bridge the digital divide for people in their communities – from making Wi-Fi available after school to hotspot-lending programs to digital literacy training. On SHLB’s next webinar, you’ll hear about innovative anchor-led digital inclusion initiatives – and maybe even be inspired to helm your own!

Meet the Panel

• Moderator:Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)
• Cindy Aden, Washington State Librarian
• Kent Oliver, Director, Nashville Public Library
• Daniel Noyes, Co-Executive Director, Tech Goes Home

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KEY CONCEPTS IN SPECTRUM POLICY

February 2019

 

What do the gaps in your TV channels, the "homework gap", Educational Broadband Service (EBS), and 5G all have in common? All are current hot topics in the field of broadband spectrum, which has been buzzing with activity over the last few years. It’s all very exciting, but can be difficult to follow for those new to the spectrum policy sphere. “Key Concepts in Spectrum Policy” offers the need-to-know background on the different licensing regimes, the key proceedings at the FCC, the relationship between spectrum and 5G, and why it all matters for community anchor institutions.

Meet the Panel

• Moderator:Sean Taketa McLaughlin, Executive Director, Access Humboldt
• Michael Calabrese, CEO, Director of the Wireless Future Project, Open Technology Institute
• Mark Colwell, Director of Telecommunications Strategy, Voqal
• Christopher Wieczorek,Senior Director of Spectrum Policy, T-Mobile

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POTENTIAL PITFALLS FOR E-RATE APPLICANTS

January 2019

 

The FCC modernized its E-rate policies in 2014 to encourage fiber build-out to rural schools and libraries. The implementation of these policies has unfortunately been fraught with confusion, and this year is no different. The expiration of the suspension of the amortization policy has put hundreds of upcoming special construction E-rate projects in FY2019 at risk. USAC’s inconsistent interpretations of the FCC’s gift rule have had a chilling effect on product demonstrations, preventing schools and libraries from selecting the most cost-effective services. Furthermore, the inconsistent guidance around the drop-down menu on Form 470 may still cause applicants to be unfairly denied over a technicality.

This timely webinar features seasoned E-rate experts discussing practical tips to avoid application "traps" and obtain E-rate funding in 2019.

Meet the Panel

• Moderator:John Windhausen, Exexcutive Director, SHLB Coalition
• John Harrington, CEO, Funds For Learning
• Cathy Cruzan, President, Funds For Learning
• Gina Spade, Founder, Broadband Legal Strategies

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UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OF THE RHC PROGRAM

December 2018

 

Rural Health Care (RHC) Program participants have been asking a lot of questions over the last few months - both about the uncertain future of the program and about FY2018 funding requests. But the biggest question of all for FY2018 applicants is simply, "When will I know if my funding has been approved?"

Applications for this funding year were due by June 29, yet we're now five months into FY2018 and still have little knowledge of whose requests have been approved. USAC's cryptic statement in their November 1st newsletter that, "qualifying single-year funding requests with no upfront costs will be fully-funded," leaves several open questions: How much total funding have FY2018 applicants requested? Will the sub-cap for multi-year applications be sufficient to fund all consortia requests?

Meet the Panel

• Moderator: Jeff Mitchell, Of Counsel, Lukas, LaFuria, Gutierrez & Sachs, LLP 
• Karen Brinkmann, Managing Member, Karen Brinkmann PLLC
• Dan Holdhusen, Director of Government Relations, Good Samaritan Society 
• Tracy Olson, Program Manager, NC Telehealth Network

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BROADBAND LEGISLATION IN THE 116TH CONGRESS

November 2018

 

Congress has been very active in the broadband arena throughout 2018, allocating funding for both mapping and deployment. In the midst of controversial issues, legislators agree that closing the digital divide through broadband deployment is an urgent, non-partisan priority. But will that change following the midterm elections? That's exactly the topic of discussion for our upcoming webinar.

Join SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen, Perry Bayliss Government Relations LLC Principal Kim Bayliss, and Wiley Rein LLP Partner Shawn Chang for an in-depth conversation about the election results and what they mean for community anchor institution broadband.

Meet the Panel

• Moderator: John Windhausen, Executive Director, SHLB Coalition
• Kim Bayliss, Principal, Perry Bayliss Government Relations
• Shawn Chang, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP

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HOW EBS IMPACTS ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS

July 2018

 

The FCC has opened a Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to explore opening up the 2.5-GHz band for wireless broadband. This band is currently used for Education Broadband Services (EBS). SHLB welcomes the NPRM since it has the potential to foster broadband deployment in rural areas and accelerate the deployment of 5G, however we must also consider the impact on educators and the public.

Join us for our next Grow2Gig+ webinar as we explain what EBS is and why you should care, how it relates to 5G, and the implications of the FCC's NPRM.

Meet the Panel

• Moderator: Todd Gray, Partner, Gray Miller Persh, LLC
• Jim Johnston, EBS Attorney
• Gardner Foster, Senior Counsel, Government Affairs, Sprint
• Mark Colwell, Director of Telecommunications Strategy, Voqal

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STATE BROADBAND PROGRAMS

June 2018

 

View the Webinar Slides

NTIA launched the State Broadband Initiative (SBI) in 2009 to encourage state entities to advance broadband and information technology into their state and local economies. Almost ten years later, what states have taken up the challenge to adopt their own broadband initiatives? Join our webinar as we explore the successes of recent state funded broadband networks and how you can work with your state to connect your schools, libraries, and health clinics. The webinar will feature Colorado's success story with Anthony (Tony) Neal-Graves, Executive Director of the Colorado Broadband Office, and Jordan Beezley, Broadband Deployment Director, as well as the perspective of other state broadband leaders. John Windhausen, SHLB Executive Director, will provide an overview of state broadband programs and point to various successful models. Stanley Adams, Director of Broadband Initiatives for Kansas' Department of Commerce, will moderate the conversation and provide insight from his own state experience. Learn how your state can support greater broadband connectivity for all!

Meet the Panel

• Moderator: Stanley Adams, Director of Broadband Initiatives, Kansas Department of Commerce
• Anthony (Tony) Neal-Graves, Executive Director of the Colorado Broadband Office
• Jordan Beezley, Broadband Deployment Director of the Colorado Broadband Office
• John Windhausen, Executive Director, SHLB Coalition

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DECODING E-RATE FIBER WEBINAR

May 2018

The FCC modernized its E-rate policies in 2014 to encourage greater build-out of fiber to rural schools and libraries. But the implementation of these policies has been fraught with difficulty, and many E-rate fiber applications requesting Special Construction Charges have been denied. Moderator Brian Davidson, President of Clarity Solutions, Inc., guided our panel, as they walked through the current and future E-rate fiber landscape. Evan Marwell, CEO and Founder of EducationSuperHighway, reviewed the data on denied applications and ESH's recent initiative www.delaysanddenials.org. Cathy Benham, Director of E-rate Consulting Services at CSM Consulting, Inc. provided her perspective as an E-rate consultant from one of the largest E-rate consulting firms in the country. Watch this webinar recording on E-rate Fiber's current state of affairs as well as what the future holds.

Meet the Panel

• Brian Davidson, President, Clarity Solutions, Inc.
• Evan Marwell, CEO and Founder, EducationSuperHighway
• Cathy Benham, Director, E-rate Consulting Services, CSM Consulting, Inc.

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FEDERAL POLICY OVERVIEW WEBINAR

April 2018

Feel a gap in your life now that the SHLB Annual Conference has moved to the Fall? Don't worry, you can still gain your federal broadband policy overview in our special bonus webinar!

Watch SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen's quick-fire conversations with industry experts for insight into the top issues for schools, libraries, and health providers across the country. Our experts covered the difficulties facing E-rate applications, the future of the Rural Health Care program, what the recent broadband funding in the omnibus legislation means for anchor institutions, and more. Watch this webinar recording to stay updated on the federal broadband landscape!
 

AGENDA

• Setting the Scene: John Windhausen, Executive Director, SHLB Coalition

• E-rate: Debra Kriete, Policy Counsel, State E-rate Coordinators Alliance

• Rural Health Care Program: Jeff Mitchell, Of Counsel at Lukas, LaFuria, Gutierrez & Sachs, LLP

• Infrastructure Legislation: Alan Hill, President, J.A.Hill Group, LLC

• Broadband Mapping: Brent Legg, Vice President, Government Affairs at Connected Nation, Inc.

• EBS: Stephanie Weiner, Partner, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP

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Spectrum Options: EBS, TV WhiteSpace & More

March 2018

View the Webinar Slides

How can schools, libraries, and other anchor institutions make use of wireless technologies to connect their communities? Moderator Sean McLaughlin, Executive Director of Access Humboldt, will guide you through the various innovative wireless technologies, such as TV WhiteSpace, CBRS, EBS, and 5G, and how you can make the most of them. Michael Calabrese will provide an overview of the spectrum landscape, including Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and mid-band spectrum. David Young will provide insight into the future of 5G technology and implications for anchor institutions. Ryan McDowell will then provide his own first-hand experience in setting up a TV White Space pilot project in Beatrice NE. Wireless technologies have the potential to empower anchors to share their connections beyond their own walls and to the rest of the community as well as support Internet of Things, so make sure you tune in to learn more!

MEET THE PANEL

• Moderator: Sean McLaughlin, Executive Director, Access Humboldt
• Michael Calabrese, Director, Wireless Future Project, New America
• David Young, Vice President of Public Policy, Verizon
• Ryan McDowell, IT Director, Educational Service Unit 5, Beatrice NE

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COUNTY BROADBAND INITIATIVES

February 2018

View the Webinar Slides

How do counties take on broadband planning? How do counties prioritize and set up a competitive bid process? What approaches and resources have been most successful? Deb Socia, Executive Director of Next Century Cities, will guide our panel as they answer these questions and more. Sybil Tate, Assistant County Manager in Person County, NC, will provide her hands-on experience in county broadband planning and share the keys to her success. Eric Frederick, Vice President for Community Affairs for Connected Nation, will share his federal perspective on the importance of county broadband efforts. With a special emphasis given to local and state efforts in the Trump Administration's infrastructure proposal, counties could be the lynchpins to building broadband.

MEET OUR PANEL

Moderator: Deb Socia, Executive Director, Next Century Cities
Sybil Tate, Assistant County Manager, Person County NC
Eric Frederick, Vice President for Community Affairs for Connected Nation

RESOURCES

• Connected Nation’s Connected Community Program
• Connected Nation's Local Ordinance and Policy Examples
• Person County Broadband Survey

 

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Libraries as Digital Inclusion Champions

January 2018

Webinar Slides Available Here

What does the term "digital inclusion" mean? How do libraries play a role in connecting their communities? Answer these questions and learn how libraries can promote digital literacy, civic engagement, education/learning, health/wellness and more during our January Grow2Gig+ webinar. Panelists will present their own case studies on innovative digital inclusion projects at the local, state, and national levels as well as discuss solutions for your library and community.

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Moderator: Lourdes Aceves, Senior Program Manager, Urban Libraries Council (ULC)
Stacey Aldrich, Hawaii State Librarian
Grier Carson, Director, Putnam County Public Library, Indiana
Amber Gregory, Coordinator of E-Rate Services, Arkansas State Library

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E-RATE FIBER

December 2017

Webinar Slides Available Here

The FCC modernized its E-rate policies in 2014 to encourage greater build-out of fiber to rural schools and libraries. But the implementation of these policies has been fraught with difficulty, and over one-half of E-rate fiber applications requesting Special Construction Charges have been denied. This webinar will present the perspectives of schools applying for E-rate fiber funding as well as the perspective of a bidding providers.

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Moderator: Fred Brakeman, President, Infinity Communications and Consulting, Inc.
Hatton Littman, Communications Director, Missoula County Public School
Rob Oyler, CEO & Founder, WANRack
Mike Daniel, Vice President, Tech Funds Inc.

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E-RATE & THE HOMEWORK GAP

November 2017

Webinar Slides Available Here

The 2014 E-rate Modernization Order made new funding available to improve wireless broadband connections in schools and libraries. Some schools and libraries have made innovative choices to deploy wireless services on school buses and to residential users off-campus. Join our panelists as they discuss how to make the most of this funding to close the homework gap. Andrew Moore, CIO at Boulder Valley School District, will also discuss his petition to the FCC regarding off-campus use of existing E-rate connectivity. Read SHLB's comments filed in support of the petition.

Creative solutions like these are especially critical now since one in three American homes lack broadband, according to the Pew Research Center. Five million homes with students lack access to essential Internet services to complete their homework, access online resources, and apply to college.

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

• Moderator: Susan Bearden, Bearden Education Technology Consulting, LLC (Former Senior Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education)
• Andrew Moore, CIO at Boulder Valley School District
• John Harrington, CEO, Funds for Learning

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CONNECT AMERICA FUND INTRODUCTORY WEBINAR

October 2017

Webinar Slides Available

The Connect America Fund (CAF) is a federal program that provides funding to defray the cost of operating and extending both fixed and mobile broadband networks to serve consumers and small businesses in rural, high-cost areas in the United States. Join two former senior FCC officials as they discuss the History of the Connect America Fund, the Phase II  Auction (Performance Standards, Application Process, and Auction Mechanics), as well as Reporting Requirements.

SPEAKERS

• Carol Mattey, Mattey Consulting LLC
• Rebekah Goodheart, Jenner & Block (on behalf of rural electric industry)
• Moderator: John Windhausen, SHLB Coalition

Q&A FROM WEBINAR

Q. Is 10 down 1 up for the extremely high-cost areas (remote areas) or can it be 4 down 1 up for remote areas?
A.  The minimum speed that can be bid in the Phase II auction is 10/1.

Q. To be clear, funding is only available to entities that are categorized as telecommunications providers?
A.  Correct.  This is a statutory requirement. Even so, a provider does not need to be a telecommunications carrier today to participate in the auction.  For example, WISPs and many electric cooperatives are not considered telecommunications carriers today but can participate in the auction.  In other words, an entity does not need to be a telecommunications carrier today but must be willing to become a telecommunications carrier and offer voice and broadband if it bids and wins in the auction.  

Q.  Companies that provide middle mile backbone fiber that are not telecommunications companies without last mile connections are not eligible.
A.  Correct.  Aside from the statutory requirement that recipients of funds must be “eligible telecommunications carriers,” the recipients of Phase II funding are required to offer service to end user (residential and small business) locations. At the same time, a middle mile provider could partner with a last mile provider and/or decide to extend service to the last mile in certain areas for purposes of the auction.  

Q.  What does an auction cap of $146.10 per month mean?  Does that mean it would cost a provider $146.10 a month to connect a household and meet their profit margin?
A.  The sum of the reserve prices nationwide is larger than the amount budgeted for the Phase II auction.  The FCC has stated that the purpose of capping funding per location is to ensure that “Phase II support is not unreasonably skewed towards areas that the Commission has deemed the most expensive to serve and the most remote.” The FCC’s cost model assumes a greenfield fiber build.  To the extent that providers are using other technologies, or can leverage existing assets, the actual costs to serve a particular census block could vary from the estimates in cost model, and in fact be less than the capped amount.  The FCC expects bidders to do due diligence to determine the cost to deploy broadband service at the relevant speed tier for particular census blocks before participating in the auction.

Q. Are there performance testing standards for CAF2 recipients?
A.  The FCC has not yet adopted specific performance testing standards.

Q. Reporting seems to be aggregated up to the state level where consumers cannot see the success of a given recipient in a given census block.  Is that right?
A. Yes, compliance is determined at the state-level, not the census block level.

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RURAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM: CRISIS, FUNDING, AND THE FUTURE

September 2017

Webinar Slides Available Here

The Rural Health Care Program has reached a fiscal cliff. Funding requests for 2016 exceeded the program's $400 million cap, and USAC recently announced it would reduce funding by 7.5% for 2016 applicants. SHLB filed an emergency letter with ten Telehealth Networks and is currently urging the Commission to take immediate steps to provide interim relief. Join our panelists as they discuss the importance of the Rural Health Care Program, telemedicine, and other steps we can take to improve the health of rural communities.

• MODERATOR: Camelia Rogers, Telehealth Funding Connection, LLC
• Rebecca Manna, Kalispell Regional Medical Center
• Jim Rogers, New England Telehealth Consortium

LINKS

• How to Submit to FCC
• Alaska Congressional Delegation Letter
• Alaska Primary Care Association Letter Requesting Increase in Cap
• Dahl Memorial Clinic Letter Concerning RHC Cap

 

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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series - RURAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM

April 2017

 Slides Available Here

The Rural Health Care Program has reached a fiscal cliff. Funding requests for 2016 exceeded the program's $400 million cap, and USAC recently announced it would reduce funding by 7.5% for 2016 applicants. SHLB filed an emergency letter with ten Telehealth Networks and is currently urging the Commission to take immediate steps to provide interim relief. Join our panelists as they discuss the importance of the Rural Health Care Program, telemedicine, and other steps we can take to improve the health of rural communities.

Kathy Wibberly (Director of the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center) provided an overview of the program. Ally Orwig  (Project Coordinator at Indiana Rural Health Association) provided the perspective of a funding recipient and challenges faced. Jeff Mitchell  (former Director of RHC Program and currently Of Counsel at Lukas, LaFuria, Gutierrez & Sachs, LLP) explored the policies around the future of the program.  John Windhausen (Executive Director, SHLB) moderated the discussion.

 

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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series - Broadband in the Infrastructure Bill

March 2017

Slides Available Here

As the presidential election revealed, rural communities feel neglected and left behind. That's why SHLB's Grow2Gig+ webinar explored the specific broadband needs of rural America and how the upcoming infrastructure bill has the power to address those needs.

John Windhausen (Executive Director, SHLB Coalition) discussed funding mechanisms and recommendations in SHLB's recent Rural American Broadband Connectivity (ABC) Plan. John Richards (CEO & General Manager, Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative) and Chip Byers (MoreNet) provided the rural/electric co-op perspective and shared practical insight from implementing broadband networks.

 

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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series - Successful Models for State Subsidy Programs

February 2017 

Slides Available Here

Many anchor institutions cannot afford their share of the cost of broadband, even after receiving federal funds from programs like E-rate. Fortunately, some states have developed programs to address Community Anchor Institution (CAI) funding and broadband challenges. SHLB's Grow2Gig+ webinar highlighted three of these different state programs. The webinar featured Kurt Kiefer and James Sylla (Wisconsin), Susan McVey (Oklahoma), and Diane Wells (Minnesota) and was moderated by Bob Collie (Managing Director, Parana River Group). 

Kurt Kiefer and James Sylla provided an overview of the Broadband Expansion Grant managed by Wisconsin's Public Service Commission. Susan McVey discussed the Oklahoma Broadband Initiative and how it connects schools, libraries, health clinics and other anchors. Diane Wells provided insight into Minnesota's successful Border-to-Border Broadband grant program. Learn how your state can support greater broadband connectivity for all!

 

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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series - Partnerships and Rural Broadband Needs

January 2017

Slides Available Here

 

As the presidential election revealed, rural communities feel neglected and left behind. That's why this webinar explores the specific broadband needs of rural America and how partnerships can address those needs. Join Joanne Hovis (President, CTC Technology & Energy), Chris Mitchell (Director, Institute for Local Self-Reliance), Mark O'Connor (Senior Vice President, Carlson Wireless), and John Windhausen (Executive Director, SHLB Coalition) as they discuss the various solutions to bring rural communities up to speed. 

Joanne Hovis discussed the particular broadband challenges rural communities face. Chris Mitchell explained the role of Community Anchor Institutions in connecting communities and review promising business models. Mark O'Connor discussed the potential of TV White Space technology in rural communities. John Windhausen moderated as well as summarized SHLB's recent American Broadband Connectivity (ABC) Proposal for the Trump Administration. 

 

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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series: Government Funding and Networks

November 2016

Slides Available Here

This Grow2Gig+ webinar explored how government funding impacts anchor institution broadband. Federal, state, and local governments are crucial in broadband deployment. Governments can build fiber networks to connect anchor institutions as well as fund broadband network providers to build to expensive or rural areas. Join Bob Collie (Senior Vice President of ENA), Louis Fox (CENIC President and CEO), Tom Rolfes (Education IT Manager for State of Nebraska), and Clark Rucker (Assistant General Manager, CFO of Morristown Utility Systems) as they discuss the various ways that federal, state, and local governments impact school, library, and other anchor institution connectivity. 

Tom Rolfes discussed how the State of Nebraska has expanded its network to serve the K-12 community. From the opposite perspective, Louis Fox of the Corporation of Education Network Initiatives in Cailfornia (CENIC) discussed how CENIC has used funding from the State of California to connect almost 85% of California's libraries in three years. Clark Rucker, a municipal broadband specialist, then provided insight into government networks at the local level. Bob Collie moderated and tie the conversation into what we can expect from the Trump Administration.

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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series: Reducing Broadband Costs: Competition & Infrastructure

October 2016

Slides Available Here

High service prices and build-out costs remain big hurdles to improving digital equity across the nation. Watch Tom Koutsky (Connected Nation), John Windhausen (SHLB Coalition), and Nick Alexander (Level 3) tackle the question of how to reduce broadband costs through competition and infrastructure.

Tom Koutsky approached the topic of cost reduction with a discussion of infrastructure policy and what federal, state, and local governments can do to improve broadband build-out in a timely and effective manner. John Windhausen then offered various means of improving competition in the marketplace. Jumping off this discussion, Nick Alexander tied in how BDS reform can improve broadband competition for schools, libraries, and other anchors.

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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series: The First Steps in Creating a Broadband Plan

September 2016

 Slides Available Here

This webinar marked the kick-off of the SHLB Coalition's Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series. September we discussed The First Steps in Creating a Broadband Plan. The discussion drew from the first two policy papers and answer questions such as: 

• How do I conduct a Broadband Needs Assessment? 
• Who should be involved in the creation of a broadband plan? 
• How do I ensure I'm using wireless most efficiently? 
• How do I improve wireless connections between buildings and the community?

Jeff Campbell, Cisco, and Kelleigh Cole, Broadband Director of Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, gave their insights in a conversation moderated by John Windhausen, SHLB Executive Director.