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Subject: VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE ON "UNIVERAL SERVICE AND OPEN ACCESS
The following press release was sent out by the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting and the U.S. Department of Commerce:
THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA)
and the
UNIVERSAL SERVICE WORKING
GROUP OF THE INFORMATION
INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE
(IITF)
announce a
VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE ON "UNIVERSAL
SERVICE AND OPEN ACCESS TO THE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK"
November 14-18, 1994
Background
In a landmark effort to broaden participation in the
development of the nation's telecommunication policies and demonstrate
the power of networking technology, the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Universal Service
Working Group of the Information Infrastructure Task Force (IITF) will
host an electronic, Virtual Conference the week of November 14-18,
1994.
The Virtual Conference will culminate a year-long effort by
the Administration to gather information and opinions about the issue
of universal service and open access as it relates to
telecommunications and information resources. Building upon previous
field hearings conducted by NTIA and the Universal Service Working
Group on this subject, the Conference will allow public input to be
expanded beyond geographic constraints.
The Conference also is part of the Clinton Administration's
initiative to promote the development of a National Information
Infrastructure (NII). The Administration's document entitled the
National Information Infrastructure: Agenda for Action, released on
September 15, 1993, describes the benefits of networking technology
and the potential for using the NII to create an electronic commons.
The report includes the Administration's goals of extending universal
service to the telecommunications network and using the NII to conduct
government business.
To demonstrate these concepts, this conference is being
conducted entirely through electronic networks -- using the Internet,
dial-up bulletin board access, public information service providers,
and commercial service providers. Although most attendees will use
their own computers, NTIA and the Universal Service Working Group are
providing nationwide access by encouraging public institutions to make
their computer facilities available to the public during the week of
the conference.
Information collected during this conference and all of the
previous field hearings is being incorporated into the
Administration's on-going policy deliberations and may result in a
report to Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
How the Conference Will Be Conducted
During the week of November 14-18, 1994, NTIA will create a
series of electronic mail discussion groups. Each topic will have an
Internet mailing list and USENET newsgroup devoted specifically to
discussion of each relatively narrow area. Each topic will be hosted
by an expert in the field, who will begin each day's discussion.
Attendees will be able to participate in two ways: by replying to the
host in a short response that will be included in the formal
proceedings of the conference, and by engaging in unmoderated
discussion on the mailing list and newsgroup. This two-tiered system
will promote an active discussion by not moderating or summarizing
what anyone has to contribute, while still creating a shorter precis
of the overall debate. Topics will include:
-- Redefining Universal Service and Open Access: What is the
minimum "basket" of basic services or capabilities that all Americans
should be able to obtain today? Which services or capabilities, if
any, should be available to all Americans on an optional basis? What
is the proper relationship between universal service and open access?
-- Affordability and Availability: Who lacks basic
telecommunications service, and why? For more advanced services,
should training be available to all who wish it? Who should pay for
such training? How can rural concerns and inner city concerns be
balanced by a modern concept of universal service? How can government
balance the need to provide universal service with the need to allow a
competitive environment for the telecommunications industry?
-- Intellectual Property: Does the traditional legal framework
for intellectual property work with digital technology? What are the
respective roles of the government and the private sector in
determining how creators are reimbursed? Does the current legal
framework of intellectual property help or hinder the goal of open
access to the telecommunications network?
-- Privacy: What potential is there for the telecommunications
network to compromise personal privacy? To what extent will
perceptions of reduced privacy hinder open access to the
telecommunications network?
-- Interoperability: How important is the concept of
interoperability to the goals of universal service and open access?
What is the respective role of the market and the government in
determining standards and protocols for interoperability? What
lessons can we learn from past efforts at standards setting, both
domestically and internationally?
-- Universal Service and Open Access for Individuals with
Disabilities: What is the current state of access and service for the
disabled? How can telecommunications help the disabled participate
more fully in society? What design concepts for the disabled are
transferable to all users to improve overall network functionality?
Additional information about the Virtual Conference, including
instructions on how to join a topic, may be found on the Conference
Gopher: gopher-virtconf.ntia.doc.gov. This information can also be
e-mailed directly to you; send a message to info@virtconf.ntia.doc.gov
and you will receive an automatic reply.
Participants are encouraged to review the NTIA/Universal
Service Working Group's relevant documents and post comments and
suggestions. These documents include: NII Field Hearings on Universal
Service and Open Access: America Speaks Out; and Notice of Inquiry
(NOI) on Universal Service and Open Access Issues (written comments in
response to this NOI are being received by NTIA and should be filed on
or before December 14, 1994, to receive full consideration). These
documents already are available through NTIA's IITF Gopher Server at
iitf.doc.gov, dial in to (202) 501-1920, and NTIA's Bulletin Board
Service at (202) 482-1199, ntiabbs.ntia.doc.gov (telnet, gopher or
world- wide web).
Call for "Public Access Points"
The Administration recognizes that not all citizens have
access to, or experience using, computers and the Internet.
Therefore, libraries and universities, as well as state and local
governments, are encouraged to make their facilities available to the
public. Providing these public gateways will demonstrate the power of
networking and allow access to those who might not otherwise be able
to participate.
If your institution is interested in participating as a
"public access point," please see the attached registration form.
For Further Information
For technical assistance, please contact Charles Franz at
(202) 482-1835 (cfranz@ntia.doc.gov). For general information, please
contact Roanne Robinson at (202) 482-1551 (rrobinson@ntia.doc.gov).
Fax inquiries should be directed to (202) 482-1635.
*****************************************************************
Registration Form for "Public Access Points"
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
and the Universal Service Working Group on the Information
Infrastructure Task Force (IITF) are hosting an electronic Virtual
Conference on the topics of universal service and open access to the
telecommunications network. The Conference will be accessible by the
public via Internet mailing lists and network newsgroups.
To broaden the reach of the Conference, the Administration is
encouraging public institutions to provide the general public a
generic e-mail or newsgroup account to access the Conference Internet
mailing lists. This will allow citizens to read and respond to
on-going discussions on various topics.
Site Responsibilities
While every attempt will be made to make the general public aware of
this conference, "public access points" (sites) will be responsible
for all local publicity, as well as technical and logistical support.
Sites are encouraged to display the conference announcement and make
copies available to the public. Sites may wish to develop an
additional announcement stating their intent to serve as a public
access point, hours of operation and a local contact person, who can
instruct local citizens on how to participate. Sites are encouraged
to download the relevant documents outlined in the announcement and
make hard copies available for the public to review prior to the
conference.
In addition, since sites will be providing NTIA with anonymous e- mail
accounts, sites may wish to encourage individual conference
participants to provide their name, organization, and address at the
end of their comments.
Site Registration
Please complete the registration form and e-mail the form to
rrobinson@ntia.doc.gov by November 4, 1994. Registration will allow
us to contact you with updated conference information.
*****************************************************************
"PUBLIC ACCESS POINTS" REGISTRATION FORM
Contact Name:
Organization:
Address:
City:
State, Zip:
Phone & Fax:
E-mail Address:
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