On August 10, 2022, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) submitted an ex parte filing to the Federal Communications Commission requesting that the installation deadline for Funding Year 2020 and 2021 non-recurring services be extended to October 2, 2023. Per SHLB:
… the effects of pandemic-related restrictions have unfortunately exacerbated global supply chain disruptions. Challenges such as labor shortages, equipment availability, and global bottlenecks, geopolitical conflict, renewed COVID-19 lockdowns, and silicon chip shortages affecting the technology industry, continue to delay equipment and services delivery, and are preventing schools and libraries from completing their projects by anticipated deadlines.
SHLB also provides examples from schools, libraries, and consortia who have experienced supply chain-related delays in network infrastructure projects.
SHLB’s letter to the FCC may be viewed here.
