Academic Broadband

Broadband in schools gets help from SHLBC

December 8, 2010 | E-Resources

The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition has the clear-cut goal of improving “the broadband capabilities of schools, libraries, and health care providers so that they can enhance the quality and availability of the essential services they provide to the public.” The SHLBC is particularly dedicated to bringing broadband capabilities to areas that have been unconnected in the past, much as the USDA’s Rural Utility Service Fund is (see “New broadband stimulus has rural consumers wired”).As of September 22, 2010, the Coalition had 58 members, coordinated by John Windhausen, Jr. of Telepoly Consulting. Other members hail from the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Association of Law Libraries, the Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education, and more.Since its inception, the SHLBC has helped initiate a high-speed internet upgrade in Maine and supported a broadband extension into rural areas across 32 Michigan counties. Interested parties can contact the Coalition at its website, including applying for membership. AcademicBroadband.com has already outlined some of the ways in which the internet can be a resource for educational providers. The SHLBC helps to make those resources available to students all across the nation. Visit the Coalition website to learn more, or contact your local broadband internet company to learn how it is expanding its network to reach under-served areas.