Bi-Weekly Member Call

This bi-weekly call provides updates on federal and state broadband policy and regulatory
developments across the broadband landscape. It’s the best way to stay informed about all of
SHLB’s broadband policy work and advocacy efforts in support of anchor institutions, and
how such policies impact your organization.

SHLB Staff: John Windhausen 

September Meeting Summary

September 23, 2024: Evan Wolstencroft from Texas Rural Funders presented Boosting Broadband with E-Rate, a resource helping rural communities navigate the E-Rate process to connect schools and libraries.

Key Discussions:

  • Comments to NTIA on Alternative Technologies

  • E-rate Hotspots Petition for Reconsideration

  • Amicus brief on "lowest corresponding price" rule

  • Cert petition for Supreme Court review of 5th Circuit USF decision

  • USF Working Group recommendations on FCC-USAC relationship

  • The FCC reports that it has complied with the Congressional rescission of Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) dollars, and previously approved ECF applications should be able to receive their full commitments. 

Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are available to members here.

  • Dr. John Graham, President and Cofounder, NC Telehealth Network Association (NCTNA)
  • Alex Wermer-Colan, Executive Director, Philly Community Wireless
  • Esther Jang, Director, Local Connectivity Lab
  • Alice Lawson, Wireless Affairs Advisor, City of Seattle
  • Chip Pickering, CEO, INCOMPAS
  • Adam Geisler, President and COO, Tribal Ready
  • Brittany-Rae Gregory, Communications Director, Next Century Cities
  • Annie Norman, Director, Delaware Division of Libraries
  • Stephanie Stenberg, Director, Community Anchor Program, and Therese Perlowski, Program Manager of the Community Anchor Program, Internet2
  • Eric Sasaki, Manager of Major Programs, Los Angeles County’s Internal Services Department
  • Erica Meyers, Senior Manager of Global Government Affairs, SpaceX
  • Dirk Gates, SVP of Customer Service, and Carl Guardino, VP of Government Affairs & Policy, Tarana Wireless
  • Robin Olds, Business Development Manager, Cisco’s Broadband Program Office
  • Dustin Loup, Director of Community Development, Ready.Net
  • Melissa Newman, SVP of Government Affairs, TIA
  • Phil Essington, Director of Broadband & Digital Inclusion, Hennepin County

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