FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Paige Darden

July 17, 1997 (202) 482-7002

pdarden@ntia.doc.gov

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) posted on its website today a six-page overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) universal service order that was released in May. The overview, which is geared towards ultimate users of the Universal Service Fund, can be accessed via NTIA's home page at http://www.ntia.doc.gov.

The universal service ruling spells out how the Universal Service Fund will be used to provide targeted support to low-income households through the Lifeline Assistance Program, and to allow schools, libraries and rural, not-for-profit health care facilities to get discounted telecommunications services, including Internet access. The ruling represents an essential step towards realizing the Administration's goal of ensuring that all Americans and especially this nation's students can gain access to the Information Age.

For more information, please contact the overview's principal author, Jim McConnaughey, Senior Economist, NTIA's Office of Policy Analysis and Development, at 202-482-1880.

NTIA serves as the principal adviser to the President, Vice President, and Secretary of Commerce on domestic and international telecommunications and information issues.