About EBS

What is an EBS license?

Education Broadband Service or EBS is the designation given by the FCC to a specific block of microwave frequencies which can only be licensed to non-profit educational entities.

In 2005, the FCC changed the name of these frequencies from Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) to the Educational Broadband Service or EBS.

This license can be used to provide educational content to schools and other educational locations using special transmission and reception equipment.

Why is this EBS license important?

The license can only be held by non-profit educational entities for its educational purposes but the license also offers licensees the ability to access new mobile broadband services and derive revenue.

This opportunity exists for your institution/organization whether or not this license is currently in use at this time.

How can my institution use this license?

Your institution could send video content to schools/classrooms via an over-the-air broadcast method; or you could send video and data to computers via the Internet carried on these frequencies; or you could develop a revenue source from making your excess capacity available to the commercial operator; or you could obtain other telecommunications services offered by that commercial operator in exchange for your excess capacity; or some combination of the above.

The amount of services/revenue you may extract from this arrangement is based on a number of variables such as: your technology needs and plans, the size of your market, what services you choose to use, who the commercial operator may be, etc. The best way to obtain an idea of your options would be to speak with other educators who have done this before and the best place to find such expertise is the membership of the National ITFS Association (NIA) operating in your community or state. A list can be found here: http://itfs.org/list?page=1&orderby=memberName&query=memberLevel%20LIKE%20'%level%'

What does an EBS license do for us?

A commercial telecommunications company may be willing to build and maintain your licensed spectrum as part of the larger wireless broadband system they will be building in your community.

In exchange for building and maintaining your system, they would want the ability to use your excess capacity for their business purpose. This type of arrangement can provide you with some new broadband capabilities as well as revenue. However, you will also have some responsibilities as a licensee.

What does the actual license look like?

It is a one or two page document from the Federal Communications Commission called a Radio Station Authorization, printed on a light gray or green paper with a basket weave background pattern.

It will list your institution as “Licensee” near the top and will include among other things: a mailing address, a “Call Sign,” a “Grant Date,” an “Expiration Date,” a Channel designation (usually preceded by an A, B, C, D, or G), and a Frequency designation. If you do not have a License, you may have a document that is called a Construction Permit.

Why is my institution being contacted?

According to records at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), your institution/organization has either applied for or was granted an Educational Broadband Service (EBS) license.

This was previously referred to as Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) microwave television license in the past. There are new FCC rules that will require action on the part of your institution as a licensee and you should be aware of your responsibilities and options.