FW: FCC Announces Bandwidth Forum

Norman J. Jacknis (njacknis@ix.netcom.com)
Fri, 10 Jan 1997 23:04:57 -0500

In yet another development at the Federal Communications Commission, there
will be a forum on bandwidth coming up on January 23. This is likely to be
the beginning of an extensive government debate about the impact of
increased Internet usage on the telecommunications structure. It's
anyone's guess what might come out of this. The possibilities range from
extending the notion of universal access to the Internet to regulations
prohibiting the sale of unlimited Internet access to consumers. I don't
think either of those is likely, but once the machinery starts rolling, you
can never be sure what might happen.

While we probably won't have enough time to submit something on behalf of
WATPA, I'd certainly suggest that anyone interested send a statement
directly. Of course, if someone wants to draft a statement for WATPA, that
would be great.

Regards,
Norm Jacknis

----------
> 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 -
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/News_Releases/1997/nrmc7001.txt