The FCC sees a need for speed in schools...
The FCC sees a need for speed in schools and libraries, and commissioners want to know how much speed is enough to promote learning in a new digital world. The agency released the text of its E-rate rulemaking notice Tuesday…
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(http://fcc.us/1bdHgFo). The NPRM was approved at Friday’s FCC meeting (CD July 22 p1). The document asked a myriad of questions about how best to achieve the agency’s goals of increased connectedness for schools and libraries, including whether its proposed goal of high-capacity broadband connectivity to support digital learning is appropriate, and how best to measure progress on its goal. “We seek comment on how to define ‘broadband that supports digital learning,'” said the 100-page NPRM (not including appendices). Is President Barack Obama’s ConnectED initiative target of at least 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps within five years enough? What about the State Education Technology Directors Association target of Wide Area Network connectivity of schools within a school district of at least 10 Gbps per 1,000 students and staff by the 2017-18 school year? The commission also sought comment on the right bandwidth target for libraries, and on proposals by the Gates Foundation that libraries get at least 1 Gbps connectivity by 2020, with more connectivity for those with more users. What of Obama’s proposal that all schools and libraries have internal wireless networks, the commission asked. “Should we aim for 1 Mbps of wireless capacity per 10 students in classrooms and other learning spaces? What would this standard generally require to implement?"