Re: Tech Support and Long Term Funding

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> I realize this.  But if the discount levels are not on par with the
> discount level for resellers, why go for the Universal Service bait to
> begin with?  As a resale based carrier, you have no restrictions like this.

Hi,

I envision that the discount levels will be well below the discount level
for resellers.  As stated earlier the real issue is the reimbursement level.

> As far as technical feasibility, I see school districts, not individual
> schools, as the initiators of this kind of effort.  Their DP resources
> would be needed for billing.

I can't imagine a school with the capability to do telecommunciation billing
to the home!

> From a student perspective, if we are suppose to be educating kids for the
> future, what better way for them to learn that by being in the middle of
> the biggest technological shift of the modern age?

I could not agree more.  Students should be drawn into the use of technology
as much as possible.  They should be using,running and maintaining the systems.

> From a marketing perspective, you are selling a service that people already
> have installed in their homes.  You are going to charge them the same amount
> they are already paying for dialtone from the incumbent.  They will be aware
> that by getting their service from the school district reseller, they will be
> assisting schools tremendously.  If you throw in long distance resale too,
> the profit picture increases dramatically.  Why do you think the telcos were
> so willing to sell their network soul to get into long distance to begin with?

> Of course, all profits go into infrastructure, so tax exempt status is
> preserved.

> One other thing I like about this approach is that is short circuits the
> huge corporations from the equation.  I have numerous real world examples
> of telcos and cable tv companies "efforts" to "help" education.  No thanks!!
> I say this also as a former Bell System employee for many years.

> As other commentors have said, the Telcos look like they might ignore the whole
> USF issue for schools anyway.  I am seeing cynical interpretations of the law
> like this in my negotiations with the telcos now.

I'm involved in many Universal Service discussions in DC with various Telcos.
I've never heard once that anyone is thinking about ignoring USF.  If fact,
we are spending many hours talking with the National Education organizations
to try to work with them to a mutually acceptable definition of US.

> Always best to know your options so you can choose accordingly.

> This is just one way of proceeding.  Might not be appropriate for all.  Could
> make a lot of sense for some.

> Steve, I realize you work for NYNEX.  I don't mean any of this personally, but
> I am increasingly wary of big corporations in this current environment.

I'd be more than willing to discuss this concern of yours offline

Steve

> Marty Tennant
> President
> Low Tech Designs, Inc.
> "Bringing Technology Down to Earth"tm
> "Common Sense Computer and Communications Solutions"tm

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