US/ND-1: Re: universal service vs. public sector service
Re: universal service vs. public sector service
Steve Kohn (NOTES.SKOHN@A50VM1.trg.nynex.COM)
28 Aug 1996 22:24:22 GMT
> Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 12:05:06 -0700
> From: Marty Tennant <marty@sccoast.net>
> Organization: Low Tech Designs, Inc.
> Subject: Tech Support and Long Term Funding
> ...
> If you think about the efficient flow of funds, the service providers
> that will be offering you discounted services will have to make this
> up somewhere. That somewhere will be in your local phone bill.
Hi
As I'm sure you are aware, the Universal Service legislation establishes
a Universal Service Fund from which telecommunication carriers will be
able to be made whole for whatever discounts are legislated. The fund
will be generated by a surcharge on customers telecommunication bills.
> Why not get telecom service at a discount yourself, for your own
> needs, and be able to offer phone service to your student's families
> too, at a profit? That way, the money flows are direct and not dependant
> upon Federal boards and individual PSC decisions.
I'm past chairperson for a local school technology committee. I can't
imagine any school having the time to turn itself into a telecommunication
carrier. Most schools are having a hard time dealing with all the
educational issues. Plus this method would not be any more direct or
reliable than Universal Service.
Steve
> This is of course, all hinging on the discount levels established for
> educational, library and medical users. This is similar to the problem
> the FCC had to go thru on the wholesale discount for local exchange
> service. It will be interesting to see how this discount level for
> schools/library/medical users will be set.
> Marty Tennant
> President
> Low Tech Designs, Inc.
> "Bringing Technology Down to Earth"tm
> "Common Sense Computer and Communications Solutions"tm