Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition

“How Fiber Connected Community Anchor Institutions Contribute to a Local Economy”

SHLB Coalition

• Non-profit advocacy organization supporting public policies that promote open, affordable, high-capacity broadband for community anchor institutions.

• Members include anchor institutions, broadband providers, consulting firms, public interest organizations.

• Funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and membership dues.

E-Rate Reform

4-Prong Approach

1. Define Connectivity Standards (Benchmarks)

- SETDA has set standards for 1,000 student schools, but most schools are well below 1,000 students – what standard should apply to smaller schools?

- What about internal connections standards?- How to benchmark connectivity for libraries?

E-Rate Reform

4-Prong Approach

2. Inventory Capacity at School/Library Buildings.

- Speed tests, National Broadband Map are questionable.

- In the field study should be undertaken to measure last mile capacity to each building.

E-Rate Reform

4-Prong Approach

3. Estimate Costs of Serving Schools/Libraries up to the Benchmark.

- BTOP Costs, E-rate cost data, provide raw material.- School/Library distance from nearest fiber can be charted.- Per-mile costs can be estimated based on aerial or

buried. - Lowest Corresponding Price rule helps estimate recurring

costs from similarly situated customers.

E-Rate Reform

4-Prong Approach

4. Provide Funding for BOTH up-front capital investment AND Monthly Recurring Support.

- Funding for up-front investments in build-out for a limited period of time (3-5 years), similar to Rural Healthcare Connect Fund.

- E-rate support for monthly recurring costs (E-rate “Classic”) should be increased, but funding requests may decline once build-out is completed.

E-rate Reform - TECF

- Technology-neutral (including dark fiber)- Provider-neutral (all providers eligible), - Schools/libraries make local decisions,- TECF Fund should also fund one-time costs of

internal connections (Wireless Access Points).- Recipients of TECF funding should build networks

open to interconnection and shared use (with cost allocation)

- Promotes wireless service to the community;- Promotes additional “jumping off points” to serve

the residential community.

E-rate Build-out Supporters

• American Library Association

• NATOA• Alliance for Excellent

Education• LEAD Commission• Benton Foundation

• Kansas State Library• Mass. Broadband

Initiative• Merit Network• Montana State Library• Education

Superhighway