When will EBS become available?

Over the next several months, ETV will work closely with our educational customers and the leadership in state government to determine the best and highest usage for retained capacity of EBS.

According to the timeline below, ETV is required to develop and submit an EBS plan to the FCC for approval.

1982 - ETV begins replacement of lease cable distribution with closed circuit broadcast ITFS (Instructional Television Fixed Services) facilities.

1999 - ITFS system completed with 35 origination facilities serving all 85 school districts in South Carolina.

2001 - FCC considers utilizing ITFS channels for cell phones, but rejected on the basis schools still using them. Charged that ITFS become more efficient.

2002 - National ITFS Association, the Catholic Television Association and the Wireless Communication Association authored a White Paper, a detailed proposal that outlined how ITFS channels can transition to digital.

February 2004 - ETV met with Senator Hollings staff and FCC commissioners to affirm that ITFS licenses be held exclusively by educational institutions.

July 2004 - The FCC issued a Report and Order ruling to digitize ITFS. The new regulation labels the channels Educational Broadband Services (EBS), and issues new channel allocations and technical rules, including the right for educational licenses holders to lease excess capacity.

December 2004 - WiMAX standard technology approved and slated to use EBS channels to delivery fixed wireless broadband Internet. Certified equipment anticipated summer 2005, but did not happen until early 2006.

December 2005 - Mobile WiMAX standard approved. Certified equipment expected in 2007.

January 2006 Announcement of first certified fixed WiMAX products.

April 2006 - After the FCC reconsidered many challenges to the new EBS rulings; the FCC posted its final decision on the regulation. The definitive rules answered many procedural questions on how license holders can transition to digital.

September 2006 - ETV announces plans for new EBS service to the state, and initiates RFP.

January 2009 - All transition plans initiated by proponents to convert to digital must be submitted.

April 2009 - If a proponent to transition does not come forward, ETV must have submitted a plan to FCC for self-transition.

May 2011 - ETV must prove substantial educational use of EBS to FCC or possibly forfeit channels.