Yesterday we launched our 2021 Policy Roadmap, including nine policy priorities that are critical to closing the #digitaldivide through community anchor institutions: https://www.shlb.org/policy/roadmap 

Read on for a quick overview....(1/10)

#1: Every person in this country needs access to #broadband, devices, and the digital literacy skills to make full use of them. We must increase affordable internet access and adoption through anchor institutions. (2/10)

#2: The FCC just adopted new rules to improve #broadband mapping, BUT those rules exclude schools, libraries, and healthcare providers from data collection. This is unacceptable. We need more accurate and granular broadband data that INCLUDES anchor institutions. (3/10)

#3: The #Erate program is a valuable mechanism that has enabled 95% of schools to access fiber broadband. But we can make this program even stronger. For example, we should streamline the application process, and allow E-rate to facilitate off-campus learning. (4/10)

#4: Increase funding + improve administration of the #RuralHealthCare program. #COVID19 makes this so urgent, w/ a spike in demand for #telehealth services. RHC needs an additional $2B each year, & it's past time to address the slow pace of application processing. (5/10)

#5: Include higher education in #broadband access initiatives. It's not just K-12 students who need internet and devices for remote learning - yet the #homeworkgap conversation often focuses exclusively on them. Let's not forget our college and university students. (6/10)

#6: Reform the Universal Service Fund contribution mechanism. The contribution percentage jumped from 21.2% in Q1 of 2020 to 31.8% in Q1 of 2021. This problem is not going away on its own. (7/10)

#7: Promote greater spectrum availability for anchor institutions. CBRS, TV White Spaces, and 6 GHz present exciting opportunities for anchors to connect their communities, and policies should allow for innovation via these bands. (8/10)

#8: Streamline pole attachments and rights-of-way processes. The cost of accessing poles and ROW can sometimes constitute 1/3 of an entire network cost. There are solutions out there to help ISPs and local officials collaborate for more broadband deployment. (9/10)

#9: Last but certainly not least - we must strengthen #broadband infrastructure through anchor institutions. SHLB supports reintroducing @WhipClyburn's comprehensive Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act for the 117th Congress to consider. (10/10)