Subject: Re: Lest We Forget Old Threads
Maureen Lewis (mlewis@apt.org)
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 19:09:24 -0700
Message-Id: <35D24AD4.2449@apt.org> Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 19:09:24 -0700 From: Maureen Lewis <mlewis@apt.org> To: roundtable@cni.org Subject: Re: Lest We Forget Old Threads
Dear John Schwartz and other Roundtable Members:
I too have lost track of this debate and am willing to concede you
the last word in your "cross examination" of APT. For our part, we
have been focussed entirely on advocating the organization's proposals
for implementing Sec. 706 before the FCC and other policymakers so
that everyone in the country will enjoy affordable access to advanced
telecommunications networks. Please see our website at http://www.apt.org/
for more information about what we've been doing in that regard.
As you probably know, the FCC has just opened the inquiry required by
Sec. 706(b) to assess the scope and pace of deployment of advanced
telecom networks to everyone in the nation. The Commission will use
the information it gathers to determine whether deployment is occurring
in a "reasonable and timely fashion" and if not, what "immediate"
actions the agency should take to "accelerate" deployment. The FCC's
inquiry notice specifically requests input on APT's proposal for
stimulating demand for telecom services in underserved communities to
help make them more attractive markets to providers. APT remains
concerned that the Commission's heavy emphasis on competition may
especially harm low-income and rural consumers, unless the FCC also
adopts proactive measures that affirmatively promote investment
in underserved communities. APT's proposals are discussed in
paragraphs 70-73 of the notice, which you may find in a text version
on the FCC's homepage at
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Notices/1998/fcc98187.txt
(approximately 20 pages).
At the same time, the FCC began a rulemaking proceeding to consider
revising its rules to promote investment in advanced telecommunications
networks. The notice of proposed rulemaking is available in text format
at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Orders/1998/fcc98188.txt.
(approximately 120 pages).
Now that the FCC has initiated its dual Sec. 706 proceedings, it is
vitally important that you and others who share APT's goal of universal
access to advanced telecommunications participate in these matters. The
Commission seeks comments in the inquiry by September 8, 1998, and reply
comments by October 8, 1998. Comments and reply comments in the
rulemaking are due on September 21 and October 13, respectively.
While I first joined this list serve not to advance APT's positions,
but to respond to mischaracterizations of our petition that appeared
here, I am happy that the list serve exists to allow participants to
exchange information and to discuss issues to the extent they are able
and willing to do so. I hope that all of us will continue to use the
Roundtable to work towards alleviating the "digital divide" that
threatens our country.
Sincerely,
Maureen Lewis
<mlewis@apt.org>
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