The Hechinger Report

JUNE 12, 2017

Some internet-access advocates say EBS is underutilized at best, and wasted at worst, because loose regulatory oversight by the FCC has allowed most of the spectrum to fall into the hands of commercial internet companies. The hardware on the towers then blasts that connection about 10 miles into the valley below. Photo: Chris Berdik.

Broadband 90

Broadband Digital Divide Accessibility Blackboard 90

The Hechinger Report

NOVEMBER 11, 2018

Federal licenses to use spectrum that can carry mobile internet are a hot commodity, coveted by big telecommunications companies with money to spend at the periodic spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We have this perfect alignment of stars. Suddenly, this sleepy spectrum became extremely valuable.

Broadband 82

Broadband Chromebook Accessibility Mobility 82

The Hechinger Report

JULY 5, 2017

Meanwhile, millions of American students trek to public libraries and fast-food restaurants to get online after school, or they go without — a problem known as the “homework gap.”. In 2004, President George W. Then, in 2004, the FCC changed the allowed use of the educational spectrum from TV to internet, and ITFS became EBS.

Broadband 87

Broadband Mobility Digital Divide Learning 87

Hack Education

MARCH 8, 2017

As an op-ed in The Washington Post put it , “The FCC talks the talk on the digital divide – and then walks in the other direction.” E-rate is the name commonly used to describe the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, established as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

E-rate 49

E-rate Digital Divide Broadband Libraries 49