House Task Force on rural broadband sends letter to FCC Chairman Pai on Educational Broadband Service Decision

July 30, 2019

Decision would eliminate important education requirements that will harm communities

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC), U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), and members of the House Task Force on Rural Broadband sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai urging his agency to reverse its decision to eliminate education requirements for the Educational Broadband Service (EBS).

EBS’ origins date back to 1960 when then-Senator John F. Kennedy envisioned educational television as having the ability to reach many people throughout the nation. As a result of his vision, the Instructional Fixed Television Service (IFTS) was created to distribute licenses to educational institutions that promised to deliver instructional television services to schools. In 2004, IFTS was renamed and reimagined to EBS to encourage the use of broadband for educational purposes. Today, nearly ten thousand schools, libraries, nonprofits, and other anchor institutions across the country are connected to the internet in places where EBS is licensed.

While the FCC’s decision establishes a priority filing window for Tribal Nations—which is positive – striking the educational requirements for EBS will be especially harmful to rural communities across the country.

“Too many communities across the country are in digital desserts and the rural areas that do have access to high speed internet, the service is often unreliable, unaffordable, and too slow,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn. “EBS provides millions of rural Americans access to the internet and the FCC’s decision to eliminate education requirements for EBS only exacerbates the rural-urban digital divide. High-speed internet access is essential to education, health care and employment in rural communities. Without connectivity, rural households will continue to be left behind.”

“EBS has connected millions of Americans, particularly in rural areas, and they are able to start businesses, connect with family and friends, apply for jobs, and complete their homework,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng. “The FCC’s decision to gut the educational requirements for EBS is a step backwards and will make it harder for rural Americans to access the internet. I want to thank House Majority Whip Clyburn for establishing the Task Force on Rural Broadband whose mission is to end the rural-digital divide. If Chairman Pai seriously wants to close the digital divide, he will reverse the EBS decision.”

The House Task Force on Rural Broadband provides coordination and leadership to end the rural-digital divide. The Task Force works to advance solutions to ensure all Americans have access to high-speed internet by 2025. The Task Force consults with key stakeholders, including rural advocates, market participants, local governments, and Administration officials to develop strategies to eliminate digital deserts and ensure rural Americans can thrive in the 21st century information economy.

A copy of the correspondence can be found here.