JOHNSTON, R.I., April 1, 2016 – Mobile Beacon, a national Educational Broadband Service (EBS) provider of low-cost, 4G LTE mobile Internet access for schools, libraries and nonprofits, supports the FCC’s landmark vote yesterday to modernize the Lifeline program. This decision will help pay for critically-needed Internet service that connects low-income Americans to education, jobs, healthcare, commerce, and other services.
“Knowing that 70% of teachers assign homework requiring access to the Internet, and over 10 million students don’t have broadband at home, the FCC’s decision to make affordable broadband available through Lifeline is going to have both an immediate impact on people’s lives and a transformative effect over time,” said Katherine Messier, founder and Managing Director of Mobile Beacon. “Simply put, this historic investment in broadband adoption is going to build a stronger America from the bottom up.”
Mobile Beacon, through its flagship program, the i3 Internet Inclusion Initiative, has developed a successful model working with nearly 2,000 community anchor institutions (including schools, libraries, and nonprofits) to make $10/month, unlimited Internet service available to help connect low-income Americans to the tools they need to improve their lives. Through this platform:
- Schools are able to distribute mobile hotspots to students without Internet access at home.
- Libraries have started loaning out mobile hotspots to patrons of all ages to expand Internet access beyond library hours and walls.
- Housing authorities have connected low-income residents to the Internet so they can look for jobs and further their education.
- Senior centers are able to enable residents to access their Medicare and other benefits online.
The FCC also took an important step by making it easier for nonprofits and community anchor institutions to become eligible to provide service through Lifeline via a new national certification process for Lifeline Broadband Providers. This move will enable a wider range of affordable broadband options to be eligible for distribution.
Mobile Beacon made clear its support of the move to broaden eligibility requirements beyond Eligible Telecommunications Carriers in the comments it filed in the Lifeline Notice of Proposed Rule-Making proceeding. In addition, it encourages the FCC to continue to include community anchor institutions in the development of the Digital Inclusion Plan for the Lifeline broadband program.
For more information on Mobile Beacon’s work with libraries, schools and nonprofits, visit www.mobilebeacon.org.
About Mobile Beacon
Mobile Beacon provides fourth generation (4G) LTE mobile broadband services exclusively to schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Mobile Beacon was created by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the second largest national educational broadband service (EBS) provider in the country. We help educators and nonprofits get the Internet access they need and extend access within their communities to those who need it most. Learn more, and visit Mobile Beacon athttps://www.mobilebeacon.org.
Contact: Katherine Messier
Phone: 401-934-0500
Email: [email protected]
