EBS In Action

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) has released an economic study assessing the economic and social value of extending the current EBS licensing regime.  The study considers the impact of continuing assigning remaining licenses to educational organizations and/or tribal organizations, as compared to a proposed alternative of auctioning the licenses to commercial interests.

The study also addresses the issue of what comparable value would be generated if the licenses are auctioned to commercial operators.

Among the major findings of the study is a significant reduction in the digital divide and increase in GDP from increased penetration yielding greater benefits by continuing licensing EBS to educators and nonprofits over auctions.

Follow this link to the study (including an executive summary):

http://www.shlb.org/uploads/Policy/Policy%20Research/SHLB%20Research/EBSResearchpresentation_final.pdf