Universal Service Teleconference

Universal Service:

POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
A Teleconference for Educators and Librarians in New Jersey

Friday, February 14,1997
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Available via satellite* or onsite at
William Paterson College, Wayne NJ

*KU band satellite:
SBS 6 Transponder 10
Horizontal Up at 14245.5 MHz
Vertical Down at 11945.5 MHz
Located at 74 degrees west longitude
Access with conus @ 612-612-4500

Technical Support Hotline: 1-201-595-2744

Coordinated through the efforts of:
NetTech - The Northeast Regional Technology In Education Consortium**
NJ Department of Education
NJ Intercampus Network, Inc. (NJIN)
NJ Association for Interactive Technology (NJAIT)

**NetTech is a multi-state consortium funded by a grant from the USDOE to City University of New York.

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE PANEL MEMBERS REPRESENTING:

Federal Communications Commission
National Telecommunications and Information Administration - Department of Commerce
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (invited)
Public Libraries - New Jersey Library Association
K-12 Educational Community
New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Association of Interactive Technology
New Jersey Intercampus Network, Inc.
Telephone and Cable Representatives

PANEL MODERATOR: Larry Cocco

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Telecommunications Act of 1996
What is it?
What will it mean for my school and/or library services?
What is happening in New Jersey to direct efforts?

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and state regulatory commissions to establish new conditions and goals for universal services. For the first time in history, the definition of universal service has been expanded to include access to advanced telecommunications services for schools and libraries.

On November 8, 1996, the Federal-State Joint Board of the FCC issued its preliminary recommendations. The FCC is required to make a decision, based on these recommendations, by May 7, 1997.

Taken as a whole, the recommendations are favorable to schools and libraries. The Joint Board recommends that eligible schools (K-12) and libraries be able to purchase at a discount all telecommunications services, internal connections among classrooms, and access to the Internet.

The board's proposal would make available $2.25 billion per year for a universal service fund throughout the nation. The discounts for services would range from 20 percent to 90 percent. It is estimated that the average discount for K-12 schools and public libraries would be 60 percent.

Schools and libraries are required to:

comply with several self-certification requirements designed to ensure that only eligible entities receive universal support;
adopt plans for securing cost-effective access to and use of all of the services purchased; and,
obtain competitive bids for the lowest price charged to similarly situated non-residential customers for similar services.

The implications of these proposed recommendations are extremely significant for New Jersey's schools and libraries. This teleconference will inform the library and educational communities of the key issues and actions related to the Telecommunications Act.

FORMAT for TELECONFERENCE

Introductory Remarks
leff Osowski, Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Education
Herbert Tate, President, Board of Public Utilities (invited)

Overview of Telecommunications Act

Summary of Key Decisions

Brief Remarks from Panel Members

Question & Answer Period***

***A telephone number and a fax number will be posted during the broadcast so that interested parties may ask questions of the panel members.

New Jersey Intercampus Network

Last Modified Monday, 15-Feb-1999 11:06:30 EST