Greetings, and welcome to Anchor Bytes! Since everyone is on a stay-cation this month, we've got a lighter issue for you that includes:
Updates on the AnchorNets Online virtual workshop series.
A job opportunity for a passionate membership professional.
An exciting announcement from Western Governors University.
IN THIS ISSUE
This month, the SHLB Coalition unveiled AnchorNets Online 2020, a virtual workshop series to assist anchor institutions with their broadband needs in lieu of our postponed Annual Conference. The workshop series offers six interactive sessions on E-rate, Rural Health Care (RHC), and wireless options, as well as three VIP discussions with key broadband policymakers.
Full Schedule
August 28, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
September 11, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
September 23, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
October 2, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
October 9, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
October 21, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
October 30, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
November 6, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
November 18, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Policy Bytes
Educational Broadband Spectrum - On July 23, SHLB joined 48 groups in calling on the Federal Communications Commission to extend the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window by 182 days. The Commission instead extended the Priority Window by only 30 days. Read the letter Gift Rule Waiver - On August 4, SHLB, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) requested that the FCC extend the gift rule waiver currently in effect for the E-rate and RHC programs. The FCC initially waived the gift rule from March 18 through September 30, 2020, and since March schools, libraries, and healthcare providers have benefited from the waiver. Many institutions are currently receiving free broadband services on an ongoing basis, and will be left without such donations if the FCC takes no action to extend the gift rule waiver. Given that the coronavirus pandemic will unfortunately outlast the September 30 deadline, SHLB, CoSN, and SETDA argue that the waiver should remain in effect until June 30, 2021. Read the letter
Job Opening: Membership Coordinator
Join the SHLB team!
The SHLB Coalition is seeking an enthusiastic membership professional to join our passionate team. This is an exciting opportunity to help our growing organization improve the experience for member organizations of all shapes and sizes. If that sounds like your cup of tea, click here to learn more and apply!VIEW JOB POSTING
SHLB Around Town
On August 12, SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen participated in a virtual discussion on bandwidth needs for anchor institutions, hosted by the Fiber Broadband Association. SHLB members Bob Bocher, the American Library Association, and Roy Hoover, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, spoke alongside John as panelists.WATCH RECORDING
New Members
SHLB has gained one new member since the last newsletter: the ALS Association. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the organization on our next policy call.
SHLB is one of the fastest-growing broadband organizations and the leading advocate for anchor institution connectivity. Join the movement, and help us close the digital divide. To learn more about these issues and support SHLB's advocacy, join as a member to take part in our bi-weekly policy calls and gain access to countless other member benefits.
Membership is affordable, and open to any organization that supports our mission.
What We've Been Reading
After you've finished enjoying this month's edition of Anchor Bytes, here are some reading recommendations by authors from around the web*.
Anchor Institutions
Dispute between LAUSD and teachers over online learning keeps parents in limbo, Los Angeles Times
Broadband Planning and Deployment
Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative successfully utilizes data for effective decision making, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
Broadband master planning: A holistic approach to meeting broadband goals, Broadband Communities Magazine
How states use broadband surveys to fight for better funding, Government Technology
San Antonio will leverage traffic lights to expand fiber network for students, San Antonio Express-News
Digital Divide
Slow internet? How digital redlining hurts people of all ages, Chicago Tribune
We need to address the digital divide causing an educational crisis, CNN
1 in 3 American Indian, Black, and Latino children fall into digital divide, study says, Education Week
Doing schoolwork in the parking lot is not a solution, The New York Times
Virtual learning means unequal learning, Pew Charitable Trusts
Municipal Broadband
Chattanooga uses municipal broadband to connect students in historic announcement, Community Networks Blog
Policy
ACCESS the Internet Act to enable libraries to lessen broadband gap in rural and low-income communities, American Library Association
We need to fundamentally rethink how USF programs are funded, AT&T Blog
FCC Commissioner and Former Education Secretary: We need a national policy on internet access, Education Week
*The views and positions expressed in these articles belong to their respective authors. Inclusion in this list does not indicate SHLB Coalition endorsement.
Member Highlight: Western Governors University
Western Governors University announced the WGU Online Access Scholarship to grant $1 million in scholarships to provide high-speed internet access and devices to higher education students. At WGU, access to education means access to opportunity. Students may apply today!
SHLB Member Updates
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society published "Adapting Jobs Programs for Today and Tomorrow," a report by John Horrigan. The research highlights efforts by the College of Southern Nevada with Nevada State Library, Enoch Pratt Free Library, University of California at San Diego Extension, and other community anchor institutions. Learn more CENIC is renewing and redoubling its efforts towards one-gigabit broadband for all Californians at home, as well as at school and work. Learn more Salt Lake City’s Murray City School District wants to be the first district in the country to implement a private CBRS network for students in grades K-12. Private LTE in publicly available spectrum could be the key to bridging the digital divide for some students who lack internet access at home. The school’s private CBRS network launched in April 2019 using CommScope RUCKUS radios, an STA from the FCC, and General Authorized Access CBRS spectrum. Learn more The Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology launched the "Everybody Learns" initiative, a $43.5 million investment in remote learning solutions to close the digital divide in Connecticut. Learn more Conterra Networks completed the construction of a 10 GB fiber network serving 28 schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a dark fiber network serving 12 schools in Los Lunas, New Mexico. ENA Board Member and SHLB Coalition Board Member Larry Irving co-authored an op-ed highlighting the need to address the digital divide for CNN. Learn more Federal Funding Group, LLC launched a new website. Learn more Kajeet created the “Distance Learning Survival Guide” just in time for the 2020-21 school year. The guide includes technology tips and resources for educators as they tackle both virtual learning and blended learning initiatives. Learn more In partnership with research and education networks in California, Washington, Colorado, and Nevada, Link Oregon is working to address the broadband network needs to support the COVID-19 Western States Pact. Louis Fox, CENIC, and Steve Corbató, Link Oregon, are leading the coalition through its initial phases. Learn more MCNC welcomed Tracy Doaks as its new CEO on August 1. Learn more OneNet is partnering with the Oklahoma State Department of Education to distribute 50,000 hotspots to students. Learn more UPCOMING California IT in Education's 2020 Annual Conference takes place virtually November 16 - 20. Learn more
Broadband And The Coronavirus
Broadband Breakfast, a SHLB Coalition partner, is hosting "Broadband and the Coronavirus" every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. ET. The live, online series examines how our nation's high-speed networks are playing a role in confronting the pandemic. LEARN MORE
Calendar At-A-Glance*
August 20, 3:00 p.m. - SHLB Spectrum Call August 28, 1:00 p.m. - AnchorNets Online: Wireless Options for Anchor Institutions August 31, 2:00 p.m. - SHLB Member Policy Call September 3, 2:00 p.m. - SHLB E-rate Call September 11, 1:00 p.m. - AnchorNets Online: How Does E-rate Handle Remote Learning? September 14, 2:00 p.m. - SHLB Member Policy Call September 17, 3:00 p.m. - SHLB Spectrum Call September 23, 1:00 p.m. - AnchorNets Online: VIP Session #1 To learn more and view all upcoming events, visit our community calendar. Please sign into the portal to view members-only events. *All times displayed in eastern.
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