NACEPF and Mobile Beacon Support FCC's Vote on Funding Hotspot Devices through E-Rate
18 Julio 2024 - 3:36PM
The North American Catholic Education Programming Foundation Inc.
(NACEPF) and Mobile Beacon, applaud the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC)’s vote to make E-Rate funding eligible for school
and library hotspot lending programs. Expanding access to E-Rate,
one of the most significant sources of funding for educational
institutions, will guarantee schools and libraries have the
resources they need to support learning outside the classroom.
NACEPF is a Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the
largest nonprofit licensee of 2.5 GHz spectrum (formerly known as
Educational Broadband Service (EBS)) in the United States. Mobile
Beacon, a subsidiary of NACEPF, provides affordable internet access
to the anchors of communities: nonprofits, schools, libraries, and
healthcare organizations. Mobile Beacon spearheaded the hotspot
lending model with the Providence Community Library in 2012. Since
then we’ve supported thousands of libraries and schools across the
country in developing and deploying hotspot lending programs to
provide off-campus connectivity to those who need it most.“The
decision today by the FCC is a major milestone toward closing the
digital divide and homework gap,” Kathrine Primeau, Vice President
of NACEPF and Executive Director of Mobile Beacon said. “We know
one of the biggest challenges libraries and schools face is access
to consistent funding to provide critically-needed internet access
for students outside of school. By allowing E-Rate funding to
support hotspot lending programs, millions of students will have
more equitable access to the internet to support their learning and
development.”
### About Mobile
Beacon: Mobile Beacon provides high-speed, low-cost,
mobile internet access to the anchors of communities: the
nonprofits, schools, libraries, and healthcare organizations that
provide vital services to millions of Americans every day. Through
this broadband service, organizations have an essential tool to
fulfill their missions and maximize their philanthropic impact,
which allows organizations to access more information, reach more
people, and help more in their communities. Learn more at
www.mobilebeacon.org.About NACEPF: North American
Catholic Educational Programming Foundation, Inc. (NACEPF) is a
Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest
nonprofit licensee of 2.5 GHz spectrum (formerly known as
Educational Broadband Service (EBS)) in the United States. NACEPF’s
broadband service, religious and educational programming, and
advocacy efforts support education at every level. NACEPF’s
worldwide philanthropic efforts focus on providing access to the
resources essential to human development and well-being. This
includes access to healthy food, clean water, safe housing,
education, healthcare, and faith-based services. NACEPF’s
wholly-owned subsidiary, Mobile Beacon, provides broadband service
to educational, nonprofit, and community anchor institutions
throughout the United States. To learn more, visit
www.nacepf.net.
Lauren Yergeau
Mobile Beacon
401-934-0500
lyergeau@mobilebeacon.org