Please Help Advocate for Broadband Equality in Baltimore City

Please see the note below from Erin O’Keefe, Director of the Center for Community Service and Justice at Loyola University Maryland.

Colleagues,

As a member of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition, we’ve been asked to submit stories to the Federal Communications Commission on the impact of [inadequate] broadband speeds.  I know many of you, your students, and your families, have stories to share!

As education has moved to a virtual setting, it has become apparent that having access to reliable and affordable internet and technology are prerequisites for students to receive quality education.  Disparities in remote learning are indisputable.

According to FCC guidelines, the current minimum broadband speed requirements are 25 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps upload speeds (25/3).  However, students cannot rely on the minimum broadband speed to attend class online. Many private internet service providers are exacerbating racial and economic inequities in the United States by denying students access to high quality broadband.

Educators, students, and families nationwide are asked to submit their personal stories re: slow, inconsistent internet and how it has impacted their ability to access their virtual learning on docket “20-269” by October 5th.

  1. Navigate to the FCC express comment filing form:  https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express

  2. Record your story.

There are currently NO personal stories filed that document how inadequate internet is impacting students access to education. Make sure the FCC hears your story!  Submit your comment to docket 20-269 by October 5th.

Need help?  Tool kit for comments, here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vGLsnNjXnVOeKV0ZEXyHKUgX8UNdugow/view

Stephanie Brizee