US/ND-1: Let's Define Universal Service

Let's Define Universal Service

Marty Tennant (marty@sccoast.net)
Sat, 31 Aug 1996 19:55:41 -0700 

Dear Fellow Thinkers,

I don't want to harp on this resale business too much.  As I've
said, it may be apppropriate for some schools.

What I think is primary in importantance is the definition of
Universal Service under the law.

>From the Act, Sec 254:

'(c) Definition: 

'(1) In general: Universal service is an evolving level of
telecommunications services that the Commission shall establish
periodically under this section, taking into account advances in
telecommunications and information technologies and services.
The Joint Board in recommending, and the Commission in establishing,
the definition of the services that are supported by Federal 
universal service support mechanisms shall consider the extent 
to which such telecommunications services-- 

'(A) are essential to education, public health, or public safety; 

'(B) have, through the operation of market choices by customers, 
     been subscribed to by a substantial majority of residential
     customers; 

'(C) are being deployed in public telecommunications networks by 
     telecommunications carriers; and 

'(D) are consistent with the public interest, convenience, and
     necessity. 

Internet access seems to be the hot button of the group.

Can we say that access to the Internet is "essential to education", 
or has "been subscibed to by a substantial majority of residential
subscribers"?

In my state, the Telcos got their lobbyists to the State House post
haste after this law was enacted.  They defined Universal Service
in South Carolina as single party service, dialtone, touchtone, 
equal access to long distance carriers, a directory listing,
and access to 411, 911, and operator services.

What will the Joint Board say is their definition of universal 
service?  They may say that Internet access is essential to
education and ignore penetration numbers for residential customers.

Would that be consistent with the law?  After all, it says only
that they "shall consider".

Marty Tennant