OITP/OGR Telecommunications SubCommittee
OITP/OGR Telecommunications SubCommittee
Sunday 24, 2007 @ 4-6pm
WCC 209A
1. Welcome and Comments
Bob Bocher, Lynne Bradley, Rick Weingarten
Rick: Gave overview of OITP efforts
(link to oitp & telecom pages & atl posts)
2. Gates Connectivity Project Update (will blog it when I get a copy)
Rick Weingarten
The research part is done and the report is mostly written - OITP will release in a few weeks.
3. State Telecommunications Policy preconference
Report and next steps
Educate some state-level actors or interested parties to watch for and advocate for library inclusions in telecom discussions
4. Discussion of Telecommunications
John Windhausen
– Rural Utilities Service in the Department of Agriculture is a loan program to develop broadband in rural areas. The funds are not being disbursed, as many applicants don’t show financial ability to pay back loan. Plus broadband providers are squaking that too much money is being disbursed which fund their competitors. Language is being proposed by ALA to modify this program to enable libraries to participate in this program.
– Universal Service Fund in FCC is a grant program funded by traditional telecom companies. ~65% goes to hich-cost rural telecom companies, ~35% to E-rate. Many wireless companies are recipients of this funding. Wireless satrtups oppose proposed caps, established, traditional telecom companies want the caps. FCC Chairman is likely to approve the caps, to protect the Universal Service Fund.
Poo, I have to go if I’m going to be able to get to everything else today - I should have driven in this morning (sorry) 
5. Legislative / Regulatory Update (OGR)
Current legislation
Key Issues
Recent FCC filings
6. Update on Public Library Net Survey and State Data Tool
Mark Bard
7. Pending Agenda for 2007-08
Had to leave 2/3rds oif the way through