Infrastructure
Multilingual Digital Navigators Crucial For Inclusion
Digital liaisons who speak multiple languages can help guide multilingual communities for the digital future.
Education
Technology, particularly broadband access and adoption, plays a vital role in K-12 and secondary education. Bridging the digital divide increasingly involves integrating digital skills programs into school curricula.
EBB
FCC to Vote On Emergency Connectivity Fund Policies By Mid-May: Rosenworcel
The agency is expected to vote on policies for the new connectivity fund by mid-May, chairwoman says.
Infrastructure
Libraries Must Be Vigilant To Ensure Adequate Broadband, Consultants Say
April 7, 2021 – Libraries should monitor their broadband speeds and ensure they are getting quality connections, according to library consultants. Carson Block from Carson Block Consulting and Stephanie Stenberg of the Internet2 Community Anchor program told a virtual conference hosted by the Americ
Infrastructure
Schools And Libraries Look For Solutions With $7 Billion In Federal Help
April 6, 2021 – In a webinar last week hosted by the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), panelists discussed opportunities schools and libraries have to better serve their communities with the recent $7 billion provided through the American Rescue Plan, a $1.98 trillion corona
Infrastructure
Lack of Awareness Sees Michigan Schools And Libraries Miss Out on E-Rate Funding: State Coordinator
March 30, 2021 – Despite expanded funding for the E-Rate internet subsidy program for schools and libraries, the Michigan State program coordinator said there’s an awareness problem that is causing those institutions to miss out on money in the state. “I don’t know any school or library that feels t
Infrastructure
Educators Worry About ‘Zoom Fatigue’ In Students, Recommend Innovative Teaching Techniques
March 24, 2021 – Educators must come up with ways to enhance the online learning experience or students will end up suffering from “Zoom fatigue” and falling behind, the Broadband Breakfast live event heard Wednesday. David Weinberger, senior researcher at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet
Federal Reserve
Internet Access, Affordability Issues Creating Educational Disparities, Federal Reserve Panelist Say
March 24, 2021 – The lack of available and quality broadband access is worsening the disparity between low- and high-income demographics, educators say. A panel, hosted by the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank and discussing the “new future of work” on Monday, said those who are in an “elite” categ
Texas
Students Should Be Able To Choose Online Learning When In-Person Classes Resume: Principal
March 23, 2021 – Assistant principal William Jeffery has noticed a trend. In an interview with Broadband Breakfast on Monday, the assistant principal at Columbia High School in the Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District in Texas said some of his students don’t do well with virtual learning, w
Infrastructure
Universal Service Contribution Hike, Chinese Threat Classifications, Wireless Access Licenses, Educational Applications
March 15, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission on Friday announced that it would raise the contribution to the universal service fund to 33.4 percent, representing another record amount. This would increase the current fee charged to the telecom companies’ voice services from 31.8 percent, whi
E-Rate
Praise For E-Rate Expansion in COVID Relief, Tim Wu at White House, Film on Telecom Law
March 8, 2021—Democrat senators praised their chamber’s passing of a massive stimulus bill that includes money to expand the E-Rate broadband subsidy. The Senate passed on March 6 the $1.9-trillion relief bill, which includes $7.6 billion for the Emergency Connectivity Fund that will go toward exten
E-Rate
SHLB Applauds House Passage of E-Rate Expansion
March 1, 2021 – The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition has applauded the House of Representatives passing a bill that would expand the E-Rate program to households. The expansion is in the $7.6-billion Emergency Connectivity Fund, which is part of the $1.98-trillion stimulus bill. “Fo
ECF
More Emergency Broadband Funding for Homes, Pandemic and Privacy, Facebook and Australian News
March 1, 2021—The House of Representatives on Saturday morning passed a bill that would fund $7.6 billion, out of the $1.9 trillion care package, to prop-up the E-Rate program and extend it to homes. The bill would expand the internet subsidy program for libraries and schools by shuttling the money
Labor
Labor Department Official Addresses Apprenticeships at Wireless Infrastructure Event
February 25, 2021—As the demand for broadband continues to grow during the pandemic, so too must the workforce responsible for deploying it. One avenue for growing this workforce is apprenticeships facilitated by broadband providers, often in conjunction with universities or trade organizations, suc
Texas
Texas Education Commissioner Says State Has Closed Digital Divide Through Access to Computers
February 23, 2021 – Texas education commissioner Mike Morath declared in January that the state “basically completely closed” the digital divide in students’ access to take-home computers. This was largely due to the massive state and local purchases amid the pandemic. Texas’ public school districts
Infrastructure
Datacasting Helping Bridge Education Gap Where Broadband Is Limited
February 23, 2021—During the COVID-19 pandemic, television broadcasting stations have implemented datacasting technology to assist in the distance learning that many American children now face, though issues persist. Datacasting refers to the practice of using radiofrequency spectrum currently occup
COVID
Privacy Concerns Increase With Ed Technology Boom, Says Acting Chair of Federal Trade Commission
February 16, 2021 – As the educational technology industry sees an explosion of interest as more kids are schooled at home, the Federal Trade Commission’s acting chairwoman said the agency is prioritizing the privacy implications of that. Rebecca Kelly Slaughter said the FTC is taking an all-hands-o
