Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition “Federal Broadband Funding Opportunities for Idaho and Wyoming Communities” Sept. 30, 2014 John Windhausen Executive Director, SHLB Coalition (202)

SHLB Coalition Non-profit advocacy organization supporting public policies that promote open, affordable, high-capacity broadband for community anchor institutions. Members include anchor institutions, broadband providers, consulting firms, public interest organizations. Funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and membership dues.

E-Rate Reform July 2014 Order: 1.Internal Connections (Wi-Fi) Funding 2.Money Directly to S/L 3.Administrative Efficiencies 4.Shared Networks

E-Rate Reform Upcoming (Nov?) 2014 Issues: 1.Funding Cap Increase? 2.Build-out Fund (capex)? 3.Dark Fiber Ownership? IRUs? 4.Limit on Contract Length?

E-Rate Reform Petitions for Reconsideration of July 2014 Order: A.Definition of Rural Changed B.Petitions Filed by 1.NTCA 2.Utah Education Network (UEN) 3.US Telecom Association 4.W. VA Dept of Education 5.State E-rate Coordinators Association (SECA) 6.Verizon C.Comments due mid-Oct/early Nov.

Connect America Fund Broadband deployment in rural, high-cost areas Price Cap telcos given $, but not taken. Rural Broadband Experiments ($100M) Minimum obligation should be for anchor institutions Reverse auctions next year

Healthcare Connect Fund –Authorizes $400 M annually in support of both recurring (opex) and investment (capex) expenses; –Applicants must provide 35% match; –Underutilized, only $100M allocated so far; –Consortia can include 51% rural and 49% urban; –Networks can be shared with schools/libraries.

Thank you John Windhausen Jr. Executive Director, SHLB Coalition (202)