NEWS                                                      January
6, 1997
                                                                  
      
                      FCC ANNOUNCES BANDWIDTH FORUM
                                    
      On January 23, 1997, the FCC will host an open forum on
access to bandwidth, the first of
two forums on technology issues.  The bandwidth forum will
address the deployment of advanced data
technologies, the implications of Internet usage for the public
switched telephone network, and
mechanisms to facilitate widespread availability of new network
access technologies at affordable
rates.  

      The all-day event will begin with an introductory overview
of high-speed data technologies,
some of which will be demonstrated live.  Following the overview,
panelists from the
telecommunications, Internet, and public interest communities
will address issues such as:

  *    Overcoming the limitations of the existing network for
data services.
  *    Competing models for providing higher bandwidth to end
users.
  *    Incentives created by regulatory and pricing structures.
  *    Internet usage and network congestion.
  *    Tariffing issues affecting usage of data technologies.
  *    Implications of local competition for providers of
information services.
  *    Ensuring affordable public access to new interactive
services.
  *    High-bandwidth connectivity for schools, libraries, and
health care providers.

  Throughout the afternoon, companies that provide high-speed
Internet access technologies, and
new services such as Internet telephony and live Internet video
transmission, will conduct interactive
demonstrations in Room 845.

  Additional information about the forum, including an agenda and
list of speakers, will be
available soon on the FCC Internet site at <http://www.fcc.gov>. 
The audio portion of the forum will
be broadcast live on the Internet via the FCC's Internet audio
broadcast page at
<http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/>.  The forum is open to the
public.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
        Date: Thursday, January 23, 1997
        Location:Commission Meeting Room
        Time:Forum: 9:00 - 4:00
        Technology Demonstrations: 12:00 - 5:00 (Room 845)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
                                 
For more information contact:  Kevin Werbach (kwerbach@fcc.gov),
Office of Plans and Policy, at
202-418-1597.  News media contacts: Rochelle Cohen and Meribeth
McCarrick, Office of Public
Affairs, 202-418-0500.
 - FCC                              -