Universal Service/Network Democracy
Useful Documents

This page contains documents that will be useful for participants in the Universal Service/Network Democracy on-line seminar. If you have suggestions for additional material that could be added to the list appearing below, please send your suggestions to info@info-ren.pitt.edu.

Telecommunications Act of 1996

This document is the basis of the on-line seminar. Passed in February, 1996, and currently in the process of implementation, this Act represents the first major revision of telecommunications law in 62 years. For ease in viewing of the sections particularly relevant to schools and libraries, we are providing the following excerpts on this server:

• Section 254: Universal Service
• Section 255: Access by Persons with Disabilities
• Section 706: Advanced Telecommunications Incentives
• Section 707: Telecommunications Development Fund
• Section 714: Telecommunications Development Fund
• Section 708: National Education Technology Funding

Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)

This document represents the first step in the FCC's rule making process on Universal Service. It provides a commentary on the Telecommunications Act, with specific questions on which public comment is invited. The majority of the public comments received by the FCC are available on-line at the Information Renaissance Web site. Excerpts of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making which deal explicitly with schools and libraries are listed below:

• IV. Schools, Libraries, and Health Care Providers
• V. Enhancing Access to Advanced Services for Schools, Libraries, and Health Care Providers

Request for Further Comments

This document requests comment on 72 specific items not addressed with specific detail in previous Comments and Reply Comments received by the FCC. It offers a good, concise guide to the key issues under discussion in the Universal Service debate. An excerpt of this document containing those questions which deal with schools and libraries has also been prepared.