Being a layperson, some of the comments made by 360 Communications were somewhat beyond my understanding just as I'm sure that some educational issues and policies may be beyond their level of expertise. I felt however, that many of the comments made sense, logically. First, I agree that in many circumstances a wireless carrier would be more practical that having to lay cable line to many remote areas. With this in mind, I believe that if CMRS providers can make the same commitments that other carriers can make they should be considered by the Commission. Secondly, and more relevant to the educational field, I really liked what 360 Communications had to say about their ideas to add to the educational environment. They have started programs such as ClassLink, SafeTalk, Homework Hotline all related to schools. I am particularly interested in ClassLink and Homework Hotline. ClassLink is being tried in a neighboring city and Norfolk already has a homework hotline program. In our program we are chained to a desk and the phone system in the central administration building.
360 Communications also appeared to be interested in providing service to all persons. They agreed that a voucher system would be the best way to be fair to low-income consumers. We need to make certain that as many companies that can provide service on a competitive basis are able to do so it reach all consumers as well as the schools, libraries, and health care centers.