Explores the need for universal service based on skills needed to compete in the Information Age and identifies key areas that public telecommunications policies should address in defining universal service for the future.
Written in 2005; 16,665 words; 50 sources; APA; $ 249.95
Paper Summary:
This paper seeks to address whether access to relatively new telecommunications technologies such as the Internet and broadband should be covered by a redefinition of universal service-advanced universal service. This paper examines the concept of universal service from a historical perspective to evaluate its current regulatory status. It examines the needs and barriers to implementing advanced universal service, explains broadband technologies, looks at initiatives to help narrow the digital divide, explores policy objectives and finally makes recommendations for policy makers for basic and advanced universal service. This paper finds that universal service policies should continue to ensure access to basic Internet and that policy makers should continue to closely monitor the deployment of advanced telecommunications technologies to ensure equitable access by all citizens. It does not, however, recommend that advanced universal service be deployed at this time.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Overview
Methodology
History of Universal Service
Initial Executive, Legislative, and Regulatory Environment in 1934
Deregulation and Universal Service Fund in 1996
Bill Introduction
Conference Committee
Passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
Section 254: Revision of Universal Service
Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service
Public Interest Advocates
Section 706: Advanced Telecommunications Incentives
Need for Universal Service
Information Age
Economic Benefits
Digital Divide
21st Century Job Skills
Empowerment
Access as a Right
Broadband Technology Descriptions
Broadband
Cable TV Networks
Digital Subscribe Line: xDSL
Fiber Access Networks: FTTx
Wireless Access Networks
Applications
Internet Access
Video-Conferencing
Video on Demand
Near Video on Demand
Digital Television
Barriers to Advanced Universal Service
Opposing Arguments
Executive, Legislative and Regulatory Climates
Monopoly vs Competitive Environment
Emerging Policy Arenas
Current Initiatives
Public
Next Generation Internet
The President's National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council
Department of Education
Department of Commerce
National Science Foundation
Department of Agriculture
Universal Service Administrative Corporation
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Private
OpenNET Coalition
AT&T
IBM
Partnerships
Presidential Advisory Committee
The Benton Foundation
Family Technology Resource Centers
Policy Objectives
Access
Standards
Competition
Content
Positive Outcomes
Negative Outcomes
Options
Option A
Option B
Option C
Recommendation
References
From the Paper:
"Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 not only reaffirms the central importance of universal service in telecommunications, but it has vastly expanded the concept. The FCC is charged with assuring that all rates for universal service are just, reasonable, and affordable, not just the rates for interstate service. The word "affordable" had not been used before this legislation, but the 1996 Act introduces the concept of affordability directly and explicitly into national policy. The 1996 Act expands the services to which the universal service concept applies and institutes a formal process for expanding the definition of universal service over time. Although access to the network for high-cost areas and low-income consumers has been supported for years, the 1996 Act explicitly requires this policy and requires that it be implemented with specific and predictable mechanisms, in the form of contributions from all providers of telecommunications services to support universal service. A whole new range of institutions has been identified as having a role in universal service policy."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "Advanced Universal Service", Essays on "Advanced Universal Service", Research papers on "Advanced Universal Service", Student papers on "Advanced Universal Service", Book reports on "Advanced Universal Service", Dissertation on "Advanced Universal Service", Thesis on "Advanced Universal Service", Summary of paper on "Advanced Universal Service", Articles written on "Advanced Universal Service".
Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on