EDUCATIONAL BROADBAND SERVICE (EBS) TIMELINE
Spectrum is used to deliver radio, TV, cellular, and broadband service. Like any other natural resource, there is a finite amount of it available. The FCC is responsible for allocating and administering all spectrum reserved for non-Federal use (i.e., state, local government, commercial, private internal business, and personal use).
In the 1970s, the FCC reserved a percentage of the 2.5 GHz spectrum band for educational or instructional use, making it only available to educational entities. At the time, video was the dominant technology and distance-learning courses were intended to improve access to educational content and facilitate greater learning opportunities.
In the 1980s, recognizing that many ITFS licensees lacked the technical expertise and financial means to make effective use of ITFS spectrum, the FCC modified its rules and authorized ITFS licensees to lease a certain portion of their spectrum capacity to commercial entities. A number of wireless cable operators leased this spectrum and built wireless cable systems, but the number of available channels ultimately proved insufficient to compete with cable TV.
In 1998, the FCC authorized digital compression to improve channel capacity and expanded the approved uses of ITFS spectrum to include both cellular and two-way operations (this two-way communication stream was the foundation for ITFS spectrum to be used for live interaction among instructors and students). These changes encouraged a number of commercial entities to create wireless video systems. However, due to engineering “line-of-sight” limitations and the higher costs of customer installs, it was clear that commercial video services would not be competitive using 2.5 GHz spectrum.
In 2001, the FCC modified ITFS rules to authorize the use of spectrum for mobile and voice communications. At the same time, technology was improving to allow for “non-line-of-sight” capabilities, which would greatly increase the potential for this spectrum to be utilized.
In 2005, the FCC revamped ITFS to EBS (“Educational Broadband Service”) to make the spectrum viable for development using mobile, non-line-of-sight technology. This landmark decision paved the way for 2.5 GHz spectrum to be used for wireless data service, or broadband data services.
In 2010, all EBS licensees were required to transition from ITFS operations to EBS operations.
In 2011, all EBS licensees were required to show they were operating under the new EBS rules and providing substantial service.
In the 1970s, the FCC reserved a percentage of the 2.5 GHz spectrum band for educational or instructional use, making it only available to educational entities. At the time, video was the dominant technology and distance-learning courses were intended to improve access to educational content and facilitate greater learning opportunities.
In the 1980s, recognizing that many ITFS licensees lacked the technical expertise and financial means to make effective use of ITFS spectrum, the FCC modified its rules and authorized ITFS licensees to lease a certain portion of their spectrum capacity to commercial entities. A number of wireless cable operators leased this spectrum and built wireless cable systems, but the number of available channels ultimately proved insufficient to compete with cable TV.
In 1998, the FCC authorized digital compression to improve channel capacity and expanded the approved uses of ITFS spectrum to include both cellular and two-way operations (this two-way communication stream was the foundation for ITFS spectrum to be used for live interaction among instructors and students). These changes encouraged a number of commercial entities to create wireless video systems. However, due to engineering “line-of-sight” limitations and the higher costs of customer installs, it was clear that commercial video services would not be competitive using 2.5 GHz spectrum.
In 2001, the FCC modified ITFS rules to authorize the use of spectrum for mobile and voice communications. At the same time, technology was improving to allow for “non-line-of-sight” capabilities, which would greatly increase the potential for this spectrum to be utilized.
In 2005, the FCC revamped ITFS to EBS (“Educational Broadband Service”) to make the spectrum viable for development using mobile, non-line-of-sight technology. This landmark decision paved the way for 2.5 GHz spectrum to be used for wireless data service, or broadband data services.
In 2010, all EBS licensees were required to transition from ITFS operations to EBS operations.
In 2011, all EBS licensees were required to show they were operating under the new EBS rules and providing substantial service.