82% of Residents in Tribal Zip Codes Have Broadband Internet Access, Compared to 94% of Non-Tribal Residents
Key findings:
August 2020
Understand USAC’s approval process.
Even the most experienced Rural Health Care (RHC) applicants can be confused by the application approval and review process. There are risks in applying for funding from both the Telecommunications Program and the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF). Fortunately, some applicants have identified strategies that are more likely to gain approval than others. This workshop will identify the successful strategies for obtaining RHC funding and will pinpoint the interplay between the HCF and the Telecommunications program.
Prepare for funding year 2021 and beyond.
The Federal Communications Commission made several changes to the E-rate Category Two support that take effect in the 2021 funding year. For the first time, schools and libraries will be able to apply for Category Two funding on a district-wide basis. But the line between Category Two and Category One funding is blurring as schools and libraries shift to remote learning. This workshop focuses on developing a successful Category Two strategy and calculating your Category Two budget for 2021 and beyond.
The ins and outs of local laws, working with providers, future-proofing, and more.
Building upon “Wireless Options for Anchor Institutions,” this workshop will provide case studies of successful deployments of wireless networks by anchor institutions. Presenters will provide specific guidance about how to navigate local laws, how to work with broadband providers, how to negotiate to obtain the best connectivity, and how to build in flexibility to prepare for the inevitable advances in wireless technology.
Dig into telehealth trends, analyze recent funding applications, and plan for the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic creates a new challenge for school and library broadband networks. They must now handle traffic both from within the school and from student homes, among other remote locations. The Federal Communications Commission and the Universal Service Administrative Company made some adjustments to the E-rate program, and may make more changes in preparation for the 2021 funding year. But will it be enough?
This discussion will focus on how the E-rate program provides support to ensure that school and library networks function smoothly in the age of remote learning.
Which technology is right for your community?
Wireless technologies have bounded forward in the last three years, achieving higher capacity speeds and greater reliability than ever before. Schools, libraries, and healthcare providers now have many more wireless options, but the alphabet soup of technologies can be daunting. Furthermore, each community must consider the technology that is best suited to its local market.
FCC Hangs on to 25/3 Mbps Broadband Definition for 2021 Broadband Deployment Report
The Federal Communications Commission is seeking input on how it should prepare its 2021 annual broadband deployment report. The report, which is intended to determine whether broadband is being deployed in a reasonable and timely manner, traditionally generates controversy, and 2021 is likely to be no exception – particularly considering that the FCC is proposing few changes to the methodology and definitions used in the 2020 report. The most controversial element of the proposed plan is likely to be the minimum broadband speed definition.