• SHLB seeks to solve the Digital Divide by focusing on the critical role that schools, libraries, health providers, and other anchor institutions play in serving the needs of communities.  Our Mission is to promote open, affordable, high-quality broadband for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. 
• Traditional broadband providers divide the market between business and residential.  The SHLB Coalition ensures that the interests of anchor institutions – the “third leg of the stool” for healthy communities – are also recognized and valued.

Learn about our recent policy advocacy.

• The FCC is currently considering how to allocate new licenses for Educational Broadband Service (EBS), how to reform the Rural Health Care program, broadband mapping, and how to make more unlicensed spectrum available.  Early next year, the FCC will also be considering E-rate reform, and the US Congress is likely to take up broadband infrastructure legislation.   
• There is an urgent need for strong public interest representation in these debates.  Our policy agenda for 2018 is available here.

• The SHLB Coalition began in 2009 as an ad hoc group of like-minded organizations and individuals who shared ideas on conference calls.  SHLB had no employees, only a part-time contractor.
• In 2013, we incorporated, obtained 501c3 status, named a Board of Directors, and hired our first employee.
• We added six new Board members in 2018 (including a former FCC Commissioner).  We now have 13 Board members, an office in Dupont Circle, and 3 employees.
• Our Strategic Plan calls for us to grow to 300 members and 5-6 staff by the year 2021.