****Begin File******************Begin File*******************Begin File**** *************************************************************************** ISSN 1069-7799 ALAWON ALA Washington Office Newsline An electronic publication of the American Library Association Washington Office Volume 3, Number 60 October 11, 1994 In this issue: (336 lines) NTIA ENCOURAGES LIBRARY SITES FOR VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE NTIA REQUESTS COMMENT ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND OPEN ACCESS *************************************************************************** NTIA ENCOURAGES LIBRARY SITES FOR VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is encouraging libraries to make their facilities available to the public for an upcoming virtual public conference on universal service and open access to the telecommunications network. The NTIA announcement is included here in its entirety: THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA) and the UNIVERSAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP OF THE INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE (IITF) announces 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 of 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. ************************************************************************* REGISTRATION FORM Contact Name: _______________________________________________ Organization: ________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ State, Zip: ________________________________________________ Phone & Fax: ________________________________________________ E-mail Address: ________________________________________________ *************************************************************************** NTIA REQUESTS COMMENT ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND OPEN ACCESS The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is conducting a comprehensive review of universal service and open access issues in communications. In addition to its earlier series of five field hearings, NTIA is requesting public comment by December 14. After analyzing the comments, NTIA may issue a report, a series of short analyses, and/or make recommendations to the Administration's Information Infrastructure Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission, and to Congress. The "Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Universal Service and Open Access Issues" was published in the September 19 _Federal Register_, pp. 48111-121. It is also 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 WWW). For further information, contact James McConnaughey or Cynthia Nila, NTIA Office of Policy Analysis and Development, 202-482-1880. The supplementary information in the inquiry is organized according to the following outline: I. Introduction II. Competition and Universal Service III. Universal Service Today and in the Future A. Achievement of Universal POTS B. Formulating an Expanded Definition of Universal Service IV. Funding Universal Service in a Competitive Environment A. Sources of Contribution B. Distribution of Subsidies C. Transition Measures V. Role of the Federal and State Governments in Developing Universal Service Policies VI. Open Access for Telecommunications and Information Systems VII. Conclusion The notice is lengthy, with considerable background and numerous questions on which NTIA seeks comment. Only a few of these are highlighted here. NTIA notes that the Clinton Administration "has stated a commitment to extending the concept of universal service to ensure that information resources are available to all at affordable rates." NTIA seeks comment on a field hearing proposal that the government require firms to provide services to community centers, such as schools and libraries, at the same time that such services are first provided to businesses and residences. NTIA asks whether "such public institutions have the facilities, funds, and hours of operation to afford individuals, especially the young, a full and fair opportunity to explore the highways of the Information Age? If not, what mechanisms could be explored for providing such resources?" NTIA notes strong public support for expanding the existing definition of universal service, but "little consensus about what services, features, and capabilities should be included with a new definition." Comment is sought "on whether there is an organizing principle or set of principles that can be used to determine whether a particular service or feature should be included within a modern concept of universal service." Comment is also sought on potential funding sources to support universal service, and on the appropriate recipients of universal service support. NTIA also asks a series of questions related to open access and how it should be defined at this time. "How can the 'electronic communities' envisioned by the Administration be fostered? How can access to the NII be assured for individuals, small and large businesses, non-profit institutions (in particular, schools, libraries and health care facilities) and state and local governments? How can access be assured in rural areas? Should there be different access opportunities and prices for profit and non-profit entities? Large and small entities? How can society ensure that our citizens are sufficiently 'computer literate' to utilize the NII?" ALA expects to be filing comments in the NTIA inquiry. ALA members with suggestions for the ALA comments should forward them to the ALA Washington Office (alawash@alawash.org; or by fax to 202-547-7363) by November 14. *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is an irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office, 110 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20002-5675. Internet: alawash@alawash.org; Phone: 202-547-4440; Fax: 202-547-7363. Contributing to this issue: Carol C. Henderson (CCH@alawash.org); Editor: Lynne E. Bradley (leb@alawash.org). ALAWON is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your name]" to listserv@uicvm (Bitnet) or listserv@uicvm.uic.edu (Internet). Back issues and other documents are available from the list server. 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