The NTIA is creating a modern definition of basic service and looking at the issue of whether basic service should include access to the Internet. The NTIA is also examining service support and whether it should differ among households and key institutions. Affordability is also an issue facing the Administration, as well as who should contribute to the funding and who should benefit from it.
On July 8, 1999, President Clinton and the NTIA released a third report in a series - Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide. This report was preceded by 1995's Falling Through The Net, and 1998's Falling Through the Net: New Data on the Digital Divide. All three reports are based on Census Bureau data.
Over the past several years, NTIA has filed comments for consideration by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and, prior to that, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service which has made significant recommendations to the FCC on a number of these questions and issues. As part of its outreach program, NTIA's website features The New Universal Service: NTIA's Guide for Users.
NTIA filed a letter by Sec. of Commerce Daley which urges the FCC to require schools to adpot user policy to safeguard children who are using the Internet. (5-08-1999)
NTIA filed a letter in CC Docket No. 96-45 on behalf of the Clinton Administration in response to questions raised in the Report to Congress regarding universal service support mechanisms. (5-8-1998)
NTIA filed a letter with the FCC in CC Docket No. 96-45, Report to Congress on Universal Service under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. (4-09-1998)
NTIA filed a letter with the FCC concerning Southwestern Bell's petition for a stay of the FCC's May 8th, 1997, Universal Service Order. (5-08-1997)
A joint letter filing by the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Health & Human Services with the FCC was made on April 29, 1997 in CC Docket No. 96-45, Rural Health Care issues. (4-29-1997)
NTIA filed letter comments with the Federal Communications Commission in CC Docket No. 96-262, Access Charge Reform. (4-24-1997)
NTIA filed letter comments with the FCC in CC Docket No. 96-45, Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. (4-24-1997)
NTIA filed Reply Comments in CC Docket 96-45, In the Matter of Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service. NTIA commended the Joint Board on Universal Service's recommended decision for universal service while suggesting several modifications to the proposal. (01-10-1997)
NTIA filed Further Comments in CC Docket 96-45 , In the Matter of Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service. NTIA's filing addresses the "E-Rate" proposal. This proposal seeks to guarantee universal access to advanced telecommunications and information services for every public or non-profit school or library in the country. (6-12-1996)
NTIA's Reply Comments in CC Docket No. 95-115, Amendment of the Commission's Rules and Regulations to Increase Subscribership and Usage of the Public Switched Network. NTIA recommends that the FCC adopt a "National Subscribership Goal" for the year 2000. (ASCII version ). (3-29-1996)
The NTIA has occasionally undertaken reports on the issue of universal service.
The third report in the series, Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide Falling Through the Net , is a study of nationwide telephone penetration, computer ownership, and Internet access and use, broken down by income, race, age, educational attainment and region.(7-08-1999)
The follow-up report to the 1995 release, Falling Through the Net: The Digital Divide. Falling Through the Net is a study of nationwide telephone penetration, computer ownership, and Internet access and use, broken down by income, race, age, educational attainment and region. (7-1998)
An overview and User's Guide to the FCC's universal service order that was released in May, 1997. It is geared towards ultimate users of the Universal Service Fund and provides eligibility information and planned starting dates for different categories of assistance. (Press Release) (7-17-1997)
The Telemedicine Report to Congress summarizes the work of the Joint Working Group on Telemedicine and details the legal, political and technical issues that face telemedicine expansion. (01-31-1997)
On 11-07-96, NTIA released a report entitled; Lessons Learned from the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, (TIIAP) which highlights how successful TIIAP projects have planned, implemented andsustained their demonstrations. (3-07-1997)
Falling Through the Net: A Survey of the "Have Nots" in Rural and Urban America. Falling Through the Net is a study of nationwide telephone penetration and computer and modem ownership and use, broken down by income, race, age, educational attainment and region.( 26K ASCII version ). (7-1995)
Secretary of Commerce William Daley, Assistant Secretary Larry Irving, and others often make speeches and statements regarding universal service.
Statement by Secretary of Commerce Daley supporting E-Rate funding for schools and libraries. (5-5-1999)
The Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education and Health & Human Services filed a joint letter in support of the "E-Rate" and rural health care discount programs. (6-08-1998)
Remarks by Secretary Daley (as prepared) at the Latin American Telecommunications Summit in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. (4-21-1998)
Remarks by Larry Irving to Educom Net 98. (4-16-98)
Speech by Larry Irving to the Connecting All Americans conference, February 25, Washington DC. "Progress Report: Assessing the Impact of Existing Universal Service Policies and Infrastructure Grants in Connecting Americans." (3-02-1998)
Larry Irving spoke to the 15th Annual FCBA/PLI Conference on Telecommunications Policy and Regulation on "Opportunities for Optimism." (12-15-997)
Assistant Secretary Larry Irving spoke on "Equipping Rural Americans With the Tools to Compete Successfully in the New Economy" at Rural Tele Con in Aspen CO. (10-21-1997)
Assistant Secretary Larry Irving encourages business leaders to develop public-private partnerships with schools. In an address before organizers and participants in the NetDay movement to wire schools across the nation, Irving proposed a partnership between schools and businesses similar to the Adopt-A-Highway program. (02-11-1997)
Testimony of Kathryn C. Brown, OPAD Associate Administrator, to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. (4-12-1996)
The NTIA has at times sought public comment on universal service and open access issues.
Virtual Hearing on Universal Service:
NTIA conducted one of the nation's first government-sponsored electronic
conferences, examining such topics as re-defining universal service,
availability/affordability, and subscribership (including access for the
disabled community). (11-10-1994)
America Speaks Out: Findings of Universal Service Field
Hearings:
NTIA co-sponsored with several State governments five universal service field
hearings during December 1993 through July 1994. The report "America Speaks Out"
identifies major themes of these hearings, including that government has an
important role to play in ensuring that the goals of universal service are
accomplished in a multiprovider environment. (9-1994)
Universal Service
Notice of Inquiry and Comments:
NTIA issued an NOI as part of a comprehensive review of universal service.
Some 98 entities or individuals submitted comments in the proceeding, whose
record NTIA has drawn on in developing analyses of the issue. (9-19-1994)
Survey of Rural Information
Infrastructure Technologies:
This report by NTIA's Institute for Telecommunication Sciences describes rural
information applications that make use of voice, computer, and video telecommunications
services, and various technologies that can deliver these services. (9-1995)
James McConnaughey
(jmcconnaughey@ntia.doc.gov)
Office of Policy Analysis and Development
National Telecommunications & Information Administration
14th Street & Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 4725
Washington, D.C. 20230
voice: (202) 482-1880
fax: (202) 482-6173
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