Broadband Breakfast Live Online Wednesday, March 10, 2021 – The Emergency Broadband Benefit: How Will the $3.2 Billion Program Work?

See “Strong Demand for Emergency Broadband Benefit Means All Funds Will Be Spent,” Broadband Breakfast, March 15, 2021

Our Broadband Breakfast Live Online events take place every Wednesday at 12 Noon ET. You can watch the March 10, 2021, event on this page. You can also PARTICIPATE in the current Broadband Breakfast Live Online event. REGISTER HERE.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 12 Noon ET — “The Emergency Broadband Benefit: What’s Included, and How Will the $3.2 Billion Program Work?”

• In record time, on February 25, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission rolled out details behind the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which provides discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband services, or $75 a month for those on tribal lands. How does the $3.2 billion federal initiative work? How will it help those at risk of digital disconnection? In this special breaking Broadband Breakfast Live Online, our panelists will explore the program and how it will make a difference.

Panelists:

• Dr. Reggie Smith III, CEO of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
• Marijke Visser, Senior Policy Advocate at the American Library Association (ALA)
• Brian Hurley, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, America’s Communications Association (ACA Connects)
• Jodie Griffin, Deputy Division Chief of the Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at the FCC
• Drew Clark (moderator), Editor and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Dr. Reggie Smith III currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). In this current capacity, he provides leadership to the association, members, and partners. The USDLA is a 501(c) 3 non-profit association that promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking, and opportunity.

Marijke Visser is Senior Policy Advocate at the American Library Association’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington, D.C. Her portfolio includes issues related to youth and technology as well as telecommunications policy and equitable access to information. Her advocacy raises federal decision-makers’ awareness of the role of libraries in education, employment and entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and individual empowerment. She leads ALA’s work on the federal E-rate program which ensures public libraries have access to high-capacity broadband. Most recently Ms. Vissir has lead two initiatives for preparing the workforce and supporting small businesses through libraries with a focus on equity of opportunity.

Brian Hurley serves as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for ACA Connects — America’s Communications Association (ACA Connects). Before joining ACA Connects in 2018, he served as Special Counsel in the Competition Policy Division of the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from DePauw University and Juris Doctor degree from Duke University.

Jodie Griffin is a Deputy Division Chief in the Telecommunications Access Policy Division in the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau, where she leads the Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit Program teams. Prior to joining the FCC, Jodie was a Senior Staff Attorney for Public Knowledge, where she advocated for consumers on telecommunications and copyright issues.

Panelist Resources

• “The Transformational Power of Distance Learning,” Dr. Reggie Smith, TEDx Santa Barbara, December 2, 2020
• Teleconference on New Distance Learning Regulations with Moderators Dr. Reggie Smith III and Dr. Robbie Melton, December 3, 2020
• “The State of Education Technology Post Pandemic,” AVNationTV Connected Webcast with Host David Danto, Guests Cindy Deianni, Esther Loor, Joe Way and Dr. Reggie Smith III, February 25, 2021
• See “The $3.2 Billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program: What’s In It, How to Get It?” Broadband Breakfast, March 5, 2021
• The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, Information for Consumers, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC
• The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, Information for Providers, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC
• “Libraries Connect Communities: COVID-19, Internet Access, and Libraries,” American Library Association
• “A Broadband Imperative: Equitable Opportunity for Tribal Communities through Libraries,” American Library Association, September 2018
• “Digital Empowerment and America’s Libraries,” American Library Association, January 2017

WATCH HERE, or on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

As with all Broadband Breakfast Live Online events, the FREE webcasts will take place at 12 Noon ET on Wednesday.

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