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The North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation (NACEPF) and its affiliate, Mobile Beacon, are voicing strong support for a petition filed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and other advocacy groups that calls for expanded eligibility within the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) E-Rate program.
This petition seeks to extend the program’s benefits beyond Wi-Fi hotspots such as on school buses to include other devices that can provide off-campus connectivity, a critical component the group says can address the nation’s persistent digital divide. Read the full story at stnonline.com The North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation, Inc. (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon advocate for flexible, data-driven policies within the E-Rate Program’s recent expansion to close the Homework Gap. We caution against imposing unnecessary restrictions that could limit participation and connectivity for schools and libraries across the country.
“We believe the FCC should allow program participants the flexibility they need to implement solutions that address the specific connectivity challenges in their communities, and the record reflects this,” said Katherine Primeau, Vice President of NACEPF and Executive Director of Mobile Beacon. “Adding unnecessary restrictions risks deterring applicants from using this essential program, leaving students without the resources they need to succeed.” Read the full statement here and the full comments here. NACEPF and Mobile Beacon Support Calls for Reconsideration of Certain E-Rate Program Limitations10/25/2024
The North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation, Inc. (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon express their strong support for the petitions filed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and other stakeholders, including the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), the Open Technology Institute, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and Common Sense Media. While we commend the FCC’s decision to extend E-Rate funding to Wi-Fi hotspots for off-premise use, we believe that expanding eligibility to include other device types that provide similar functionality is essential.
Read the full statement here and the full comments here. The North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation, Inc. (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon commend the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its decision to expand E-Rate Program funding eligibility to Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile broadband services for off-premises use. This is a critical step toward closing the digital divide and addressing the persistent homework gap. However, we strongly urge the FCC to refrain from setting specific lending-period limits or punitive usage requirements. Instead, the FCC should continue giving educators and library administrators the flexibility they need to not only set appropriate lending-period limits for the various populations they serve, while also allowing them to revise or modify their policies in response to changing needs or unique challenges faced by the students or library patrons they serve.
Read the full statement here and the full comments here. 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. 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 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. The North American Catholic Education Programming Foundation Inc. (NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon are astonished that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has moved forward with a Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) alleging that NACEPF failed to meet certain educational requirements, which the FCC voted to rescind over a year ago. Among many other flaws, the NALs ignore NACEPF’s well established and proven track record of working with local schools and providing robust educational benefits both in its FCC-licensed markets and throughout the United States.
NACEPF’s broadband service is distributed through its subsidiary, Mobile Beacon, which was formed 10 years ago for the specific purpose of making high-speed broadband available to the education and nonprofit sectors. Each of the tens of thousands of mobile broadband devices we have provided throughout the United States delivers free or low-cost unlimited, uncapped, high-speed broadband service that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Read the full statement. Johnston, RI – The educational nonprofit, North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation, Inc. (NACEPF), and its subsidiary Mobile Beacon are proud to announce the donation of over $400,000 to support the educational programs of buildOn. buildOn empowers U.S. youth to transform their neighborhoods and the world through intensive community service. Globally, they’re constructing a new school every two days in some of the economically poorest countries around the world.
This year, NACEPF committed to building 10 additional primary schools and financially supporting the establishment of 14 adult literacy programs in Mali, Malawi, Senegal, Nepal, and Haiti. Mobile Beacon is funding the service-learning series that occurs in 28 high schools in six under-served urban regions across the country. buildOn’s Service Learning Programs empower students to become leaders in their communities by exploring the challenges they face and developing solutions through volunteer service. Read the full press release. |
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