Bridging the digital divide one anchor institution at a time.
SHLB Asks FCC to Extend E-rate Service Delivery Deadline August 10, 2022
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alicja Johnson
Director of Communications
ajohnson@shlb.org
(571) 308-6171
Washington, D.C. (August 10, 2022) - Today the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition requested that the Federal Communications Commission extend the E-rate service delivery deadline for non-recurring services approved in funding year 2021 (FY2021) and funding year 2020 (FY2020).
Applicants have until September 30, 2022 to finish these projects, but global supply chain issues have delayed installation timelines for many E-rate participants. An extended deadline of October 2, 2023 would prevent many impacted applicants from unjustly losing E-rate funds. The FCC previously recognized such obstacles by extending the service delivery deadline for non-recurring services for funding year 2019 applicants and for special construction projects in 2021.
Kristen Corra, policy counsel for the SHLB Coalition, made the following statement:
“Although schools and libraries have re-opened their doors to students and patrons, global supply chain issues persist. As a result of these circumstances far beyond their control, service providers have been significantly delayed in completing E-rate-funded projects, and SHLB urges the Commission to step in with much-needed relief. As we assert in today’s filing, inaction on this fast-approaching service delivery deadline would not serve the public interest.”
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About SHLB:
The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C. and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations from across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.