The North American Catholic Education Programming Foundation Inc. (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon, applaud the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) vote to make E-Rate funding eligible for school and library hotspot lending programs. Expanding access to E-Rate, one of the most significant sources of funding for educational institutions, will guarantee schools and libraries have the resources they need to support learning outside the classroom.
NACEPF is a Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest nonprofit licensee of 2.5 GHz spectrum (formerly known as Educational Broadband Service (EBS)) in the United States. Mobile Beacon, a subsidiary of NACEPF, provides affordable internet access to the anchors of communities: nonprofits, schools, libraries, and healthcare organizations. Mobile Beacon spearheaded the hotspot lending model with the Providence Community Library in 2012. Since then we’ve supported thousands of libraries and schools across the country in developing and deploying hotspot lending programs to provide off-campus connectivity to those who need it most. “The decision today by the FCC is a major milestone toward closing the digital divide and homework gap,” Kathrine Primeau, Vice President of NACEPF and Executive Director of Mobile Beacon said. “We know one of the biggest challenges libraries and schools face is access to consistent funding to provide critically-needed internet access for students outside of school. By allowing E-Rate funding to support hotspot lending programs, millions of students will have more equitable access to the internet to support their learning and development.” ### About Mobile Beacon: Mobile Beacon provides high-speed, low-cost, mobile internet access to the anchors of communities: the nonprofits, schools, libraries, and healthcare organizations that provide vital services to millions of Americans every day. Through this broadband service, organizations have an essential tool to fulfill their missions and maximize their philanthropic impact, which allows organizations to access more information, reach more people, and help more in their communities. Learn more at www.mobilebeacon.org. About NACEPF: North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation, Inc. (NACEPF) is a Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest nonprofit licensee of 2.5 GHz spectrum (formerly known as Educational Broadband Service (EBS)) in the United States. NACEPF’s broadband service, religious and educational programming, and advocacy efforts support education at every level. NACEPF’s worldwide philanthropic efforts focus on providing access to the resources essential to human development and well-being. This includes access to healthy food, clean water, safe housing, education, healthcare, and faith-based services. NACEPF’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Mobile Beacon, provides broadband service to educational, nonprofit, and community anchor institutions throughout the United States. To learn more, visit www.nacepf.net. St. Patrick Church parishioners, comprising more than 700 households, are major donors and partners in the academy’s mission, also underwriting building maintenance and grounds costs, Myron said.
The academy also benefits from a matching grant from the North American Catholic Education Programming Foundation (NACEPF) a Johnston, Rhode Island-based nonprofit provider of high-speed broadband and educational resources. Read the full article at the national Catholic Register. www.ncregister.com/features/st-patrick-academy?amp The North American Catholic Programming Education Foundation (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon submitted comments on January 29, 2024, in response to the Federal Communications Commission in the Matter of Addressing the Homework Gap through the E-Rate Program.
NACEPF and Mobile Beacon strongly support the NPRM’s proposal to make E-Rate funding available for off-premises connectivity for students and library patrons. This will provide a valuable new tool to close the Homework Gap for students and close the digital divide for students, teachers, and library patrons who do not have access to the internet. Read the full comments. The North American Catholic Programming Education Foundation (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon submitted comments on January 16, 2024, in response to the Federal Communications Commission in the Matter of Addressing the Homework Gap through the E-Rate Program.
NACEPF and Mobile Beacon strongly support the NPRM’s proposal to extend E-Rate funding eligibility to Wi-Fi hotspots and similar devices and services and urge the Commission to adopt an inclusive approach to E-Rate funding eligibility to close the digital divide for students, school staff, and library patrons who lack adequate internet access at home. Read the full comments here. The five bidders winning the largest number of licenses were as follows:
BidderNumber of Licenses Won T-Mobile License 7,156 North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation 107 Evergy Kansas Central 54 LICT Wireless Broadband Company 46 Broadband One of the Midwest 42Most of the available spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band is located in rural areas. Read the full story at telecomlead.com. "-The top five licenses winners based on total gross bids were T-Mobile US at $304.3 million; PTI Pacifica at $17.7 million; TeleGuam Holdings at $16.6 million; Evergy Kansas Central at $12.7 million; and Cellular South at $11.9 million. In terms of which companies won the most individual licenses, the top five were T-Mo with 7,156 licenses; the North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation with 107; Evergy Kansas Central with 54 licenses; LICT Wireless Broadband Company with 46; and Broadband One of the Midwest with 42 licenses."
Read the full story at rcrwireless.com "The auction provided up to three blocks of spectrum, totaling 117.5MHz in each county. In terms of the number of licenses won, the second-place finisher was the North American Catholic Educational Programming Fund. Its winning bids totaled $7.8 million and cover 107 licenses in 84 counties.
There were 63 winning bidders overall, and the auction raised $427.8 million. Small entities and rural service providers were given discounts on the license costs. The 2.5 GHz spectrum was originally set aside for educational institutions but has been repurposed for commercial service." Read the full story at arstechnica.com "T-Mobile was expected to be the primary major player in the auction since the spectrum fits with holes it has in its coverage areas. One veteran spectrum watcher said likely the only reason most other carriers would be bidding was to bid up how much their competitor, T-Mobile, would have to pay to fill those holes.
There were no other big-name winners, with the second-most licenses won (107) by the North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation and the second gross bid total recorded by PTI Pacifica Inc." Read the full article at nexttv.com. North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation Inc. (NACEPF) is sad to announce the passing of our former Vice President, Barbara Primeau. Barbara served as the Vice President and Director of NACEPF for 32 years.
Her intelligence, selflessness, faith, and passion were instrumental in building NACEPF. Her numerous responsibilities included helping to produce NACEPF's educational newsletter, selecting qualified teachers for NACEPF's distance learning courses, and sharing the impact of NACEPF's mission. She was deeply involved in the organization's ministry efforts, and she championed many of NACEPF's philanthropic programs including building schools, providing healthcare, and feeding children in some of the poorest areas of the world. She often said, “children cannot learn on an empty stomach.” As a former social worker, her dedication to helping people realize their full potential guided her as she led with both practicality and compassion. Barbara was beloved in our community and we are all mourning the immense loss. We invite you to read what some of our partners shared about Barbara. Full details about her life and services can be found here. The North American Catholic Programming Education Foundation (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon submitted comments on May 4, 2021, in response to the Federal Communications Commission in the Matter of Auction of Flexible-Use Service Licenses in the 2.5 GHz Band for Next-Generation Wireless Services.
Read the full comments here. |
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