Telecommunications Task Force
To ensure the delivery of high-speed, broadband, advanced telecommunications networks to rural areas and to create tele-literacy networks throughout states for the education of individuals on the use and current infrastructure developments of telecommunication networks.
The Rural Telecommunication Policy Task Force of the National Rural Development Partnership was established to act as a forum of rural Telecommunications experts and advocates from local, state, tribal and federal government representatives, and private and non-profit sector members.
We look to resolve national policy telecommunications impediments and urge the creation of innovative programs to attract social and economic development for rural communities through the deployment of advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
- Provide input to the FCC on national policy measures
- Broaden the inexpensive use and access to the internet through schools and libraries
- Promote the deployment of telehealth practices to rural areas
- Work to ensure the telecommunications concerns of rural communities are communicated to national, state, and local leaders
- Collect, compile, analyze, and disseminate information about telecommunications legislation, innovative programming, and other important issues to SRDCs and other interested partners
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 profoundly changed the basic economic model for telecommunications from the 60-year monopoly run by "Ma Bell" towards a competitive environment where new entrants are encouraged to compete in the local service delivery market in all communities and for all consumers. Central to the core idea of the Act of 1996 was the goal of universal service that Congress defined to include not only ubiquitous telephone service, but also advanced telecommunications and information services, such as the Internet, to all communities, regardless of location or mean income level. While rapid and ubiquitous deployment of advanced services is in the nation's best interest, as mandated by the Act to be carried out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), several concerns have arisen as Congress and the President celebrate the third anniversary of the Act.
One concern is that federal and state regulations, such as Local Access and Transport Area (LATA) boundaries and the inability of local telephone companies to provide long distance service, serve as entry barriers to inter- and intra-state competition. Also, mega-mergers of AT&T and TCI threaten to act as a duopoly and hinder local and long distance competition, while a mandate-free economy is enjoyed by fiber optic supplier who target high density, short distance, and/or lucrative business customers over more needy rural and insular communities.
Meetings and
Conference Calls:
Current Action Plan
- consultation with FCC representatives to discuss strategies to deliver high speed, broadband, advanced telecommunications networks to rural areas
- creation of a quick-response telecomm network to rapidly focus attention and potentially offer informal or formal comments on pertinent issues as they emerge
- creation of a community resource toolbox that contains various examples of ways to create telecomm-related activities
If you have any questions about the NRDP Telecommunication Task Force, would like to become a member, or would like to request materials, please contact Nancy Berliner at 603-229-0261
or nhrdc@mcttelecom.com.
NRDP Task Forces
Last Updated December 1, 2004
