[261] in Information Retrieval
NTIA Virtual Public Conference - LONG
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (ganderso@MIT.EDU)
Wed Oct 12 09:17:35 1994
From: ganderso@MIT.EDU
To: libtalk@MIT.EDU, lic-lib@MIT.EDU, dlicc@MIT.EDU, elibdev@MIT.EDU
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 1994 08:54:07 EDT
Thought people might be interested in this announcement from the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
There are two pieces to this long description; an invitation to
participate and a call for universities and libraries to provide
public access points for the virtual conference.
How would MIT go about offering this public access point, if we chose
to serve as a site?
Thanks,
Greg
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ISSN 1069-7799
ALAWON
ALA Washington Office Newsline
An electronic publication of the
American Library Association Washington Office
Volume 3, Number 60
October 11, 1994
In this issue: (336 lines)
NTIA ENCOURAGES LIBRARY SITES FOR VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE
NTIA REQUESTS COMMENT ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND OPEN ACCESS
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NTIA ENCOURAGES LIBRARY SITES FOR VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is encouraging
libraries to make their facilities available to the public for an upcoming
virtual public conference on universal service and open access to the
telecommunications network. The NTIA announcement is included here in its
entirety:
THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
ADMINISTRATION (NTIA)
and the
UNIVERSAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP
OF THE INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE (IITF)
announces a
VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE ON "UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND
OPEN ACCESS TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK"
November 14-18, 1994
BACKGROUND:
In a landmark effort to broaden participation in the development of the
nation's telecommunication policies and demonstrate the power of networking
technology, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) and the Universal Service Working Group of the Information
Infrastructure Task Force (IITF) will host an electronic, Virtual Conference
the week of November 14-18, 1994.
The Virtual Conference will culminate a year-long effort by the
Administration to gather information and opinions about the issue of
universal service and open access as it relates to telecommunications and
information resources. Building upon previous field hearings conducted by
NTIA and the Universal Service Working Group on this subject, the Conference
will allow public input to be expanded beyond geographic constraints.
The Conference also is part of the Clinton Administration's initiative to
promote the development of a National Information Infrastructure (NII). The
Administration's document entitled the National Information Infrastructure:
Agenda for Action, released on September 15, 1993, describes the benefits of
networking technology and the potential for using the NII to create an
electronic commons. The report includes the Administration's goals of
extending universal service to the telecommunications network and using the
NII to conduct government business.
To demonstrate these concepts, this conference is being conducted entirely
through electronic networks--using the Internet, dial-up bulletin board
access, public information service providers, and commercial service
providers. Although most attendees will use their own computers, NTIA and
the Universal Service Working Group are providing nationwide access by
encouraging public institutions to make their computer facilities available
to the public during the week of the conference.
Information collected during this conference and all of the previous field
hearings is being incorporated into the Administration's on-going policy
deliberations and may result in a report to Congress and the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC).
HOW THE CONFERENCE WILL BE CONDUCTED:
During the week of November 14-18, 1994, NTIA will create a series of
electronic mail discussion groups. Each topic will have an Internet mailing
list and USENET newsgroup devoted specifically to discussion of each
relatively narrow area. Each topic will be hosted by an expert in the field,
who will begin each day's discussion. Attendees will be able to participate
in two ways: by replying to the host in a short response that will be
included in the formal proceedings of the conference, and by engaging in
unmoderated discussion on the mailing list and newsgroup. This two-tiered
system will promote an active discussion by not moderating or summarizing
what anyone has to contribute, while still creating a shorter precis of the
overall debate. Topics will include:
-- Redefining Universal Service and Open Access: What is the minimum
"basket" of basic services or capabilities that all Americans should be able
to obtain today? Which services or capabilities, if any, should be available
to all Americans on an optional basis? What is the proper relationship
between universal service and open access?
-- Affordability and Availability: Who lacks basic telecommunications
service, and why? For more advanced services, should training be available
to all who wish it? Who should pay for such training? How can rural
concerns and inner city concerns be balanced by a modern concept of universal
service? How can government balance the need to provide universal service
with the need to allow a competitive environment for the telecommunications
industry?
-- Intellectual Property: Does the traditional legal framework for
intellectual property work with digital technology? What are the respective
roles of the government and the private sector in determining how creators
are reimbursed? Does the current legal framework of intellectual property
help or hinder the goal of open access to the telecommunications network?
-- Privacy: What potential is there for the telecommunications network
to compromise personal privacy? To what extent will perceptions of reduced
privacy hinder open access to the telecommunications network?
-- Interoperability: How important is the concept of interoperability
to the goals of universal service and open access? What is the respective
role of the market and the government in determining standards and protocols
for interoperability? What lessons can we learn from past efforts at
standards setting, both domestically and internationally?
-- Universal Service and Open Access for Individuals with Disabilities:
What is the current state of access and service for the disabled? How can
telecommunications help the disabled participate more fully in society? What
design concepts for the disabled are transferable to all users to improve
overall network functionality?
Additional information about the Virtual Conference, including instructions
on how to join a topic, may be found on the Conference Gopher:
gopher-virtconf.ntia.doc.gov. This information can also be e-mailed directly
to you; send a message to info@virtconf.ntia.doc.gov and you will receive an
automatic reply.
Participants are encouraged to review the NTIA/Universal Service Working
Group's relevant documents and post comments and suggestions. These
documents include: NII Field Hearings on Universal Service and Open Access:
America Speaks Out; and Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Universal Service and Open
Access Issues (written comments in response to this NOI are being received by
NTIA and should be filed on or before December 14, 1994, to receive full
consideration). These documents already are available through NTIA's IITF
Gopher Server at iitf.doc.gov, dial in to (202) 501-1920, and NTIA's Bulletin
Board Service at (202) 482-1199, ntiabbs.ntia.doc.gov (telnet, gopher or
world-wide web).
CALL FOR "PUBLIC ACCESS POINTS":
The Administration recognizes that not all citizens have access to, or
experience using, computers and the Internet. Therefore, libraries and
universities, as well as state and local governments, are encouraged to make
their facilities available to the public. Providing these public gateways
will demonstrate the power of networking and allow access to those who might
not otherwise be able to participate.
If your institution is interested in participating as a "public access
point," please see the attached registration form.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
For technical assistance, please contact Charles Franz at (202) 482-1835
(cfranz@ntia.doc.gov). For general information, please contact Roanne
Robinson at (202) 482-1551 (rrobinson@ntia.doc.gov). Fax inquiries should be
directed to (202) 482-1635.
REGISTRATION FORM FOR "PUBLIC ACCESS POINTS"
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the
Universal Service Working Group of the Information Infrastructure Task Force
(IITF) are hosting an electronic Virtual Conference on the topics of
universal service and open access to the telecommunications network. The
Conference will be accessible by the public via Internet mailing lists and
network newsgroups.
To broaden the reach of the Conference, the Administration is encouraging
public institutions to provide the general public a generic e-mail or
newsgroup account to access the Conference Internet mailing lists. This will
allow citizens to read and respond to on-going discussions on various topics.
SITE RESPONSIBILITIES:
While every attempt will be made to make the general public aware of this
conference, "public access points" (sites) will be responsible for all local
publicity, as well as technical and logistical support. Sites are encouraged
to display the conference announcement and make copies available to the
public. Sites may wish to develop an additional announcement stating their
intent to serve as a public access point, hours of operation and a local
contact person, who can instruct local citizens on how to participate. Sites
are encouraged to download the relevant documents outlined in the
announcement and make hard copies available for the public to review prior to
the conference.
In addition, since sites will be providing NTIA with anonymous e-mail
accounts, sites may wish to encourage individual conference participants to
provide their name, organization, and address at the end of their comments.
SITE REGISTRATION:
Please complete the registration form and e-mail the form to
rrobinson@ntia.doc.gov by November 4, 1994. Registration will allow us to
contact you with updated conference information.
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REGISTRATION FORM
Contact Name:
_______________________________________________
Organization:
________________________________________________
Address:
________________________________________________
City:
____________________________________________
State, Zip:
________________________________________________
Phone & Fax:
________________________________________________
E-mail Address:
________________________________________________
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NTIA REQUESTS COMMENT ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND OPEN ACCESS
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is conducting
a comprehensive review of universal service and open access issues in
communications. In addition to its earlier series of five field hearings,
NTIA is requesting public comment by December 14. After analyzing the
comments, NTIA may issue a report, a series of short analyses, and/or make
recommendations to the Administration's Information Infrastructure Task
Force, the Federal Communications Commission, and to Congress.
The "Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Universal Service and Open Access Issues" was
published in the September 19 _Federal Register_, pp. 48111-121. It is also
available through NTIA's IITF Gopher Server at iitf.doc.gov (dial in to 202-
501-1920), and NTIA's Bulletin Board Service at 202-482-1199,
ntiabbs.ntia.doc.gov (telnet, gopher or WWW). For further information,
contact James McConnaughey or Cynthia Nila, NTIA Office of Policy Analysis
and Development, 202-482-1880.
The supplementary information in the inquiry is organized according to the
following outline:
I. Introduction
II. Competition and Universal Service
III. Universal Service Today and in the Future
A. Achievement of Universal POTS
B. Formulating an Expanded Definition of Universal
Service
IV. Funding Universal Service in a Competitive Environment
A. Sources of Contribution
B. Distribution of Subsidies
C. Transition Measures
V. Role of the Federal and State Governments in Developing
Universal Service Policies
VI. Open Access for Telecommunications and Information Systems
VII. Conclusion
The notice is lengthy, with considerable background and numerous questions on
which NTIA seeks comment. Only a few of these are highlighted here. NTIA
notes that the Clinton Administration "has stated a commitment to extending
the concept of universal service to ensure that information resources are
available to all at affordable rates."
NTIA seeks comment on a field hearing proposal that the government require
firms to provide services to community centers, such as schools and
libraries, at the same time that such services are first provided to
businesses and residences. NTIA asks whether "such public institutions have
the facilities, funds, and hours of operation to afford individuals,
especially the young, a full and fair opportunity to explore the highways of
the Information Age? If not, what mechanisms could be explored for providing
such resources?"
NTIA notes strong public support for expanding the existing definition of
universal service, but "little consensus about what services, features, and
capabilities should be included with a new definition." Comment is sought
"on whether there is an organizing principle or set of principles that can be
used to determine whether a particular service or feature should be included
within a modern concept of universal service." Comment is also sought on
potential funding sources to support universal service, and on the
appropriate recipients of universal service support.
NTIA also asks a series of questions related to open access and how it should
be defined at this time. "How can the 'electronic communities' envisioned by
the Administration be fostered? How can access to the NII be assured for
individuals, small and large businesses, non-profit institutions (in
particular, schools, libraries and health care facilities) and state and
local governments? How can access be assured in rural areas? Should there
be different access opportunities and prices for profit and non-profit
entities? Large and small entities? How can society ensure that our
citizens are sufficiently 'computer literate' to utilize the NII?"
ALA expects to be filing comments in the NTIA inquiry. ALA members with
suggestions for the ALA comments should forward them to the ALA Washington
Office (alawash@alawash.org; or by fax to 202-547-7363) by November 14.
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ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is an irregular publication of the American Library
Association Washington Office, 110 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC
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