This Act includes technology programs administered through
the United States Department of Education. Of particular
relevance to the present seminar is
Section
3135, which describes a federally-mandated technology plan.
These requirements form a logical template for the technology plans
that are required by the Universal Service program.
Hypertext version of the Telecom Act. Of particular
relevance to the US:PA online seminar is
Section
254(h), which calls for discounted telecommunications
services for schools, libraries and rural health care
providers. (February 8, 1996)
The Federal Communication Commission's Order, FCC 97-157. This
is the basis of the federal program to provide discounted telecommunications
services for schools and libraries, as well as the broader issues
of universal service coverage for other groups. (May 8, 1997)
A working group of the U.S. Department of Education,
Institute of Museum and Library Services,
National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
Rural Utilities Service and the Education and Library Networks Coalition.
A summary letter
from Secretary Riley introduces this report. (July 31, 1997)
The FCC's education page, which contains a brief summary of the
Universal Service ruling and the process leading up to it. This
site will also be a good source of updates on implementation of
the E-Rate. (September, 1997)
The FCC seeks comment on the detailed schedule for disbursing
funds during 1998 and on the recommendation of the E-Rate Implementation
Working Group for allocating support to individual institutions that
apply for funds on an aggregated basis. Comments are due at the FCC
by September 25, 1997. (September 10, 1997)
Opinions and Orders of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission (PaPUC)
Pennsylvania legislation predating the federal
Telecommunications Act of 1996. This legislation
encourages infrastructure modernization and grants regulatory
relief to companies undertaking such modernization efforts.
The PaPUC's Opinion and Order on
updated universal service principles and
policies for telecommunications services in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. This Opinion and Order provides the formal
basis for discussions of Universal Service issues at the
state level. Of particular relevance to the US:PA online
seminar is the section of the Opinion and Order dealing
with Schools, Libraries
and Health Care Institutions and the section establishing
a Pennsylvania
Universal Service Task Force. (December 19, 1996)
Adoption by the PaPUC of the recommendation of the Universal
Service Task Force that Intermediate Units should be eligible
to participate in the federal Universal Service discount program.
(July 31, 1997)
Tentative approval of the Final Report and Recommendation
of the Universal Telephone Service Task Force. The PaPUC
invites public comment within 21 days and invites a formal
filing of the results of the Universal Service: Pennsylvania
online seminar.
(October 9, 1997)
Reports of the Pennsylvania Universal Service Task Force
Recommendation that the PaPUC should classify
Butler, Carbon, Columbia, Fayette,
Lebanon, Perry, Pike, Somerset and Wyoming counties
as rural areas for the purpose of administering
the FCC's program of Universal Service for schools and
libraries. (July 14, 1997)
The final report of the Pennsylvania Universal Service Task
Force. This document has been released by the Task Force but
has not yet been approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission. (September 25, 1997)
A discussion of the Federal State Joint Board's recommendations
on Universal Service discounts for schools and libraries,
with comparisons to alternative approaches
that have previously been recommended, by Kevin Taglang.
(December 8, 1996)
A discussion of the Federal State Joint Board's recommendations
on Universal Service, with comparisons to alternative approaches
that have previously been recommended, by Kevin Taglang.
(December 10, 1996)
A critique of the philosophy embodied in the Telecom Act
of 1996 by Milton Mueller. This article offers views contrary to
those which have prevailed in the present legislation.
(March, 1997)
A summary of the implementation of the Telecom Act, prepared by
the Benton Foundation. Subtitle: And the Role for Public Interest
Advocates to Make federal Telecommunications Policy Work
in Your State. (June 10, 1997)
