{"id":33060,"date":"2021-02-11T02:12:46","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T02:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=33060"},"modified":"2021-02-14T02:16:42","modified_gmt":"2021-02-14T02:16:42","slug":"ebb-updatenew-remote-learning-cyber-security-funding-proposals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=33060","title":{"rendered":"EBB Update\/New Remote Learning & Cyber Security Funding Proposals"},"content":{"rendered":"

February 11, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n

~ EBB live roundtable – Feb 12 at 10 am ~<\/p>\n

Recently there have been developments in DC related to the new low-income, home Internet access program called EBB, and other new proposals that, if adopted, would help fund off-campus connectivity and cyber security.\u00a0 This message provides a high-level overview of each and if you have strong opinions about any of the proposals, I encourage you to weigh in, even if just through brief comments.<\/p>\n

Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The December federal COVID stimulus law contained $3.2 billion to fund a new \u201cEmergency Broadband Benefit Program<\/a>\u201d (EBB) that that will provide $50\/month subsidies for Internet access services to the homes of low-income families (and a small subsidy for a laptop\/tablet) during the pandemic.\u00a0 In short, a household that would like the EBB subsidy will contact a participating provider that will then verify the household\u2019s income eligibility to participate and install\/turn on service.\u00a0 The provider will then seek reimbursement from USAC.<\/p>\n

The FCC is in the public comment period, with final public comments due February 16.\u00a0\u00a0The FCC\u2019s Public Notice inviting comments is available at:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DA-21-6A1.pdf<\/a>.\u00a0 Final program rules are expected to be adopted by the end of February. \u00a0\u00a0Several national organizations have already submitted comments explaining that a vast majority of schools\u00a0are already providing at-home financial support covering mobile hotspots, computing devices, and ongoing monthly internet services for students who would not otherwise be able to afford the necessary tools and services for remote learning.\u00a0 They urge the FCC to establish final rules which allow EBB discounts to apply to the charges currently being paid by schools on behalf of eligible student households.<\/p>\n

What You Can Do Now:<\/p>\n