FCC Planning on Cutting USF Funding [From the Benton Listserv]
Ken Sutton (kensut@crlc.org)
Tue, 16 Dec 1997 09:39:11 -0500
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 09:39:11 -0500
Message-Id: <v03110700b0bc444c8673@[209.66.136.44]>
From: Ken Sutton <kensut@crlc.org>
To: Multiple recipients of list <conntech>
Subject: FCC Planning on Cutting USF Funding [From the Benton Listserv]
Title: Fund to Aid Technology in Schools Facing Big F.C.C. Cuts
Source: New York Times (D1,D10)
Author: Seth Schiesel
Issue: Education Technology - FCC Regulation
Description: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 established that large
long distance telephone companies would help pay for the telecommunications
needs of schools, libraries and health care institutions with a ceiling of
$2.65 billion. Now, due to pressure from these phone companies, the Federal
Communications Commission has tentatively decided to cut these fees by more
than 25 percent - about $750 million less than the original amount. Lynne
Bradley, a lobbyist for the American Library Association, said yesterday,
"We worry that if there is a slower ramp-up of the program, that the bigger
schools with more professional technology operations will get their money
first while the communities that have lacked access for which this program
was intended will be left out." "After meeting with AT&T and MCI
Communications Corp., the FCC has decided on spending levels of about $1.8
billion for the schools and libraries and about $100 million for the health
care centers, according to people close to the commission." The FCC is
planning to meet this week to further discuss the reductions.
Kenneth Sutton
Office Manager & Technology Coordiantor
Capitol Region Library Council
599 Matianuck Avenue
Windsor CT 06095
Voice: 860-298-5319 ext 3001
FAX: 860-298-5328