Bridging the digital divide one anchor institution at a time.
Broadband Infrastructure
The Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress in late 2021 provided an unprecedented $65 billion in funding for broadband, most of it for broadband infrastructure. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will allocate $42.5 billion to the states through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
The states will then award broadband grants to connect the unserved, underserved, and anchor institutions. We are pleased that the IIJA mentions CAIs twenty-nine times, and that the BEAD program specifically calls for anchor institutions to receive gigabit-capacity service. In addition, the IIJA provided funding to the Rural Utility Service (RUS) for the ReConnect program, $1 billion to NTIA for the Middle Mile program, and $2 billion to NTIA for Tribal broadband.
The SHLB Coalition is working with state broadband offices on anchor-related broadband needs as they plan for and implement these new infrastructure projects. We will also continue to discuss anchor-related issues and concerns with the NTIA, the FCC, the Treasury Department and Congress to ensure CAIs are fully eligible for broadband funding opportunities.
SHLB's Advocacy
Comments of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition in
Response to NTIA’s Proposed BEAD Challenge Process Guidance
May 5, 2023
SHLB Comments on OIR BEAD
April 17, 2023SHLB Response to Senator Thune's Dec. 6, 2022 Letter
January 13, 3023
SHLB wrote to senator John Thune respoinging to the our December 6, 2022 letter regarding the Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other broadband issues.
Letter to U.S. Commerce regarding "Build America, Buy America"
May 10, 2022
SHLB requested that the U.S. Department of Commerce provide a public interest waiver for "Build America, Buy America" requirements that could delay broadband deployment under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act programs.
February 4, 2022
SHLB's comments include recommendations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, the Middle Mile Funding Program, and the Digital Equity Act.
Joint letter to the Senate regarding the Infrastructure Bill
August 5, 2021
SHLB joined the American Library Association (ALA), State Educational Technical Directors Association (SEDTA), and Consortium on School Networking (CoSN) in asking the Senate to make an adjustment to the infrastructure bill text.
July 16, 2021
The SHLB Coalition wrote to the Department of Treasury, urging it to ensure that anchor institutions are served by recipients of broadband funding from the the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program.
Key Documents
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February 2018 |
February 2018 |
July 2016 |
Infrastructure Policy Group
Meetings on the 4th Thursday of the month at 2 ET
Co-Chairs:
Tom Reid
Southern Ohio Healthcare Network
Kara Reibold
Petrichor Broadband LLC
SHLB Members Only
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