Attachment to ALIA's submission to the AUSTEL inquiry into telecommunications access

November 1996

ALAWON Volume 5, Number 79 ISSN 1069-7799, 8 November 1996
American Library Association Washington Office Newsline

FCC-Joint Board Report endorses deep discounts for libraries, schools: ALA welcomes news

Preliminary recommendations by the Federal-State Joint Board of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) endorses key proposals by the American Library Association (ALA) for significant discounts on a wide range of telecommunications services for the nation's libraries and schools.

The Joint Board voted unanimously on the provisions for deep discounts for libraries and schools on 7 November. Their preliminary report on the recommendations calls for discounts ranging from 20 to 90 percent with deeper discounts for libraries and schools in rural, high-cost and low-income communities. The discounts are valued at up to $2.25 billion annually.

The Joint Board's plan would allow schools and libraries to choose the services most appropriate to their individual needs and goals from the most basic to the most advanced technology services commercially available. Such an 'equity rate' will also ensure that these learning centers will be able to afford telecommunications services. 'Libraries are a critical link for children and adults with no computer at home', said Mary R Somerville, president of the American Library Association. 'These provisions will help level the playing field in the information age.'

Carol Henderson, director of the ALA Washington Office, said the Federal-State Joint Board preliminary report is subject to further analysis but that it incorporates many of the key principles advocated by ALA. The Joint Board's recommendations will provide the basis for final rulemaking by the FCC and provide guidance to states in setting intra-state policies. The FCC must complete its final rulemaking on universal service by 8 May, 1997.

The Joint Board's recommendations provide for:

• A sliding scale of discounts that range from 20 to 90 percent and are based on a school's or library's ability to pay. The deepest discounts will be provided to the least-well-off institutions.
• Discounts on any available telecommunications service to meet the varied needs of schools and libraries.
• A universal service fund whose unexpended resources can be carried over from year to year.
• Discounts for classroom and internal library connections (whether wired or wireless).
• Discounts on monthly rates for telecommunications and Internet services.

Libraries and schools were designated as universal service providers eligible for discounted telecommunications rates in the new Telecommunications Act of 1996, the first major rewrite of communications legislation in six decades.

Henderson said the Federal-State Joint Board ruling is a victory for library supporters and noted the FCC commissioners commented on the large volume of public comment on the issue. She said ALA will continue to advocate a simple and straightforward discount process that will benefit library and school districts without burdensome reporting or applications procedures. Henderson cited president Clinton, vice-president Gore, and Department of Education secretary Riley for their leadership in spotlighting the vital need for this access and expressed appreciation to the 'equity rate' provision's sponsors, Senators Snowe, Jay Rockefeller, Exon, and Kerrey.

'We greatly appreciate the hard work and efforts of the FCC-Joint Board, the federal and state commissioners and staff and the Departments of Education, Commerce and Labor and others who have participated in this process. ALA also thanks the many library advocates who wrote letters, made calls and submitted filings to the FCC-Joint Board. Without everyone's efforts we would not have this framework from which to work out the details to develop and implement new universal service policies,' Henderson said.

'We look forward to working with all stakeholders to make universal service an effective policy and to assure that the new age of telecommunications and information becomes a reality for all'. The board's report was also welcomed by the Education and Library Networks Coalition (EdLiNC), of which ALA is a member.

The full text of the Joint Board recommendations is reported to be more than 500 pages long and is not yet published. ALA will provide further analysis of the recommendations as soon as they are available. ALAWON is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office.

Lynne E Bradley, Editor
ALA Washington Office
1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, #403
Washington DC 20004-1701 202 628 8410 (voice)
202 628 8419 (fax)
alawash@alawash.orgleb@alawash.org

All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits.