Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #ERate
Most recents (3)
Thread re: $7B for #broadband in the COVID-19 bill. Still waiting on the final bill (computer & printer problems, I'm told), but the breakdown is something like this:
1) $32B for $50 ($75 for tribal lands) monthly emergency bb benefit; 2) $1B for deployment on tribal lands 1/
1) $32B for $50 ($75 for tribal lands) monthly emergency bb benefit; 2) $1B for deployment on tribal lands 1/
3) $250M 4 telehealth; 4) $65M 4 #broadband mapping; 5) $300M grant program 4 bb in rural areas; 6) $2B for "rip & replace" (removing Chinese made equipment & replacing w. something more secure; 7) $285M for a "Connecting Minorities Community Fund," 2 expand bb in near HBCUs. 2/
There's a lot 2 celebrate in this bill, but nobody who is trying 2 close the #digitaldivide believes that this is enough. Here's what we should be most happy about: Bipartisan agreement that #broadband Internet is essential 4 full participation in society, economy, & culture. 3/
BIG NEWS!!!! The COVID-19 relief bill that Congress has agreed on has $7B for #broadband, including $3.2 for a monthly $50 "emergency broadband benefit" 4 low-income households & the recently unemployed. My statement: gigisohn.com/media/sohn-che…
I wrote about the #broadband benefit for CNN.com in September. cnn.com/2020/09/09/per…. I'm shocked & delighted that it made it into the bill - was not expecting it.
Kudos to @FrankPallone & his amazing staff & to @SpeakerPelosi & the unsinkable @russelldegraff. They made it happen when the rest of us had pretty much given up.
Pleased to announce key changes to @FCC's Rural Health Care and #ERate programs that'll make it easier for broadband providers to support #telehealth and #remotelearning. These services are more critical than ever given the #coronavirus pandemic. 1/4 
Specifically, the #FCC has waived the gift rules until August 30, 2020 to enable service providers to offer, and RHC/#ERate program participants to solicit and accept, improved connections or additional equipment for #telemedicine or #remotelearning during this pandemic. 2/4
This waiver will let health care providers, schools, and libraries accept improved capacity, #WiFi hotspots, networking gear, or other equipment or services to support doctors and patients, teachers and students, and librarians and patrons during the #coronavirus outbreak. 3/4
