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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. Recent coverage of NACEPF and Mobile Beacon's FCC Comments about E-Rate Hotspots.
By Christopher Cole Law360 (October 7, 2024, 4:18 PM EDT) -- An educational nonprofit and school broadband provider are asking the Federal Communications Commission for flexibility in how anchor institutions such as public libraries, colleges and nonprofits can use federal funds to loan out Wi-Fi hot spots off premises. The North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation and Mobile Beacon said Friday they back the FCC's expansion of the E-Rate program but are against "overly prescriptive" policies that may not fit all school districts and libraries. Democrats on the FCC created the hot spot lending program this summer over the objections of Republican members who said Congress had not authorized Wi-Fi loaners after expiration of the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a pandemic rescue fund for school connectivity. Read the full article at Law360. 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. 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. |
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