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Summary of Policy Calls
SHLB hosted two informative policy calls this month. The first call discussed the Democratic and Republic Conventions, compared Clinton and Trump's tech agendas, the creation of the Senate Broadband Caucus, SECA's E-rate Petition, SHLB's ongoing health research, the Business Data Services Proceeding, and the NTIA's Community Connectivity Initiative.
 In the second call, SHLB members discussed the FCC's fine against AT&T for allegedly violating the Lowest Corresponding Price (LCP) by overcharging two schools by over 400%. Members also discussed the release of the FCC's Health Broadband Map and the FCC's funding opportunities for rural telecommunication companies in the Connect America Fund.
Policy Calls are a benefit of Full Membership. Learn more about how you can join and take part.
MiCTA Board
 MiCTA, a SHLB Member, announced John Windhausen's election to the MiCTA Board of Directors. “MiCTA and the SHLB Coalition have been working in parallel to support high-capacity broadband for anchor institutions, and coordinating our efforts will strengthen both organizations,” Windhausen said. Read the full joint press release.
Competify
Competify, a coalition of competitive telecommunications, information processing and public advocacy groups and companies, hosted a press conference last week to discuss the need for price reductions for Business Data Services, formerly known as Special Access. SHLB, a Competify partner, was featured in the press call.
"Community anchor institutions face two large broadband problems, high prices and the lack of competition, and FCC action could address both," John Windhausen said.
For those unfamiliar with the issue, Competify seeks to improve competition in Business Data Services. According to research conducted by Competify members, 75% of consumers currently have no or one option for broadband services.
Comments were filed last Tuesday, and the FCC is expected to make a decision in October or November.
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Grow2Gig+ Webinar Kick-Off
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We are excited to announce the launch of our Grow2Gig+ Webinar Series. Beginning in September, we will host one webinar a month featuring key industry leaders discussing a common theme.
September - The First Steps in Creating A Broadband Plan
October - Reducing Costs: Competition & Infrastructure
November - Government Funding and Networks
December - Subsidies and Rural Broadband Needs
January - Beyond CAIs: Partnerships and Broadband Adoption
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SHLB in the News
- Additional articles on the Broadband Action Plan release since the last newsletter: eSchool News article, an article by WiFiForward's Bill Maguire, a LightReading article, and an article by member Tom Koutsky in the Daily Yonder.
- NDIA posted a blog on Director Angela Siefer speaking at the Grow2Gig+ July 13 Event
- Craig Settles featured Executive Director John Windhausen on his podcast GigNation
- Stay tuned for more radio as John Windhausen's feature on MiCTA radio is scheduled to be released this week.
- SHLB gets a shout out in the Slate article by Michael Calabrese, Director of the Wireless Future Project.
You can follow more stories like these and anchor institutions in the news on our website.
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SHLB Member Updates
UPCOMING EVENTS
- On Sept 9, 2016, the National Park Service’s Flight 93 National Memorial, in partnership with Internet2 and KINBER, will be hosting its inaugural distance learning opportunity, “Action to Honor,” to explore the story of the passengers and crew members on board Flight 93. A variety of programming will stream live from 9am-3pm EDT including two 50-minute education programs starting at 9:30am EDT and another at 1:00pm EDT. Participate/view the free live stream here. If you have questions, please contact usucan@internet2.edu.
- The Utah Broadband Outreach Center will be holding its Annual Broadband Summit on Nov 9, 2016 in Salt Lake City.
- 2016 CETPA Annual Conference - Nov 8-11, 2016 at the Sacramento Convention Center Sacramento, CA. CETPA is the only association in California focusing on the needs of the IT Professionals working in schools. The conference continues to grow and improve to become the best professional learning opportunity for those hoping to learn more about the effective use of technology in schools and how to support it successfully.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
- USAC announced Craig Davis will assume the role of Vice President of the Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program
- USAC released its E-rate Program Applicant Training schedule. The first training will be held in Washington, DC on September 26, 2016
Be sure to send updates and events to arobinson@shlb.org
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Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump
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SHLB Staff John Windhausen and Emily Olson travelled to Philadelphia for the Democratic Convention. They had a chance to discuss Secretary Clinton's proposal to provide more funding to connect anchor institutions with Sarah Solow on the Clinton campaign team.
In addition, SHLB is in the midst of writing a comprehensive transition team proposal for the incoming administration.
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Community Spotlight:
Telehealth Saves Woman's Eyesight
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Frenchboro, Maine (image from maine.gov)
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"Frenchboro is one of many populated islands off the coast of Maine, about 10 miles from the mainland. NETC put a high quality private telemedicine circuit on the island and the Maine Seacoast Mission runs a healthcare ship "the Sunbeam" that provides a nurse and clinical telemedicine services to the island. One day a resident of the island got an eye injury. She did not think it was serious and did not seek treatment because of the difficulty getting to a mainland health clinic by boat.
"After a while, she decided to have a telemedicine consult on the Sunbeam via the NETC circuit to have her eye checked. A doctor at a mainland clinic who examined her told her the injury was very serious and she needed to get to the mainland as soon as possible for medical treatment to avoid losing her eyesight. She received treatment at a mainland hospital and saved her eyesight. Months later, she told me how thankful she was that NETC and the Maine Seacoast Mission clinic ship was there to help her.
"NETC and the Maine Seacoast Mission were able to afford a high quality telemedicine circuit on Frenchboro because of the 85% subsidies provided by the Rural Health Care Pilot Program."
- Jim Rogers, New England Telehealth Consortium
Know of other anchor institutions that deserve to be showcased in our Community Spotlight? Send them to arobinson@shlb.org. |
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Member Mention:
Kansas  City Public Library
The Kansas City Public Library is entering the second year of Hotspots for Learning, a program that allows students in underserved areas to “check out” mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. Offered in partnership with Kansas City Public Schools, it gives the students and their families free access to home Internet and other remote locations throughout the school year. KCPL also is partnering with the Mid-Continent Public Library and the nonprofit Literacy KC in pointing area adults toward accredited high school diplomas and career certification through Career Online High School. The Kansas City Public Library, whose director, Crosby Kemper III, is a member of SHLB’s board of directors, was closely involved in KC’s selection as one of 19 pilot cities in the nationwide Community Connectivity Initiative, a component of President Obama’s new ConnectALL program. Work is underway on developing a comprehensive online assessment tool to help civic leaders identify and address critical broadband needs and ultimately connect more low-income residents to the Internet. KCPL’s new Digital Inclusion Fellow has begun her work on strengthening the Library’s role in helping area adults cross the digital divide. Specific projects include development of a volunteer base for the Library’s digital literacy program and building on the successes of the downtown Central Library’s ONENORTH Technology Center by expanding digital literacy services across all KCPL branches and into the community. The expansive new learning and technology center boasts nearly four dozen desktop computers and tablets, access to an array of digital offerings and services, and one-to-one computer training.
The SHLB Coalition will highlight one its members in each newsletter. If you would like to be featured, please reach out to arobinson@shlb.org with a blurb shorter than 250 words.
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New to SHLB? We're here to answer questions!
First of all, what are anchors?
Anchors are nonprofit institutions that are central to a community. Think schools, libraries, and health facilities. There are lots of different types of anchors (that's why SHLB's name is so long), and each one is uniquely positioned to bring broadband to underserved areas because they already provide crucial resources. SHLB is the only nonprofit focused on bringing high-capacity broadband to anchors so that they can better serve their communities.
Should you consider joining?
Anyone interested in closing the digital divide by connecting anchor institutions should consider joining the SHLB Coalition. SHLB is open to all organizations that agree with our mission.
We have both an Affiliate Member option (open only to for-profit organizations) and a Full Member option (open to everyone). Find more information on membership here.
- Click here for the Affiliate Membership Application.
- Click here for the Full Membership Application.
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