---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 1994 16:43:11 -0400
SENDER:CFRANZ@ntia.doc.gov
Subject: Universal Service Virtual Conference
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.
10/3/94
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:
________________________________________________
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