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REDUCED DISTANCE LEARNING RATES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS -- Tx
From: David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1993 13:00:06 -0500
Public Utility Commission of Texas 7800 Shoal Creek Boulevard Austin, TX 78757 For Immediate Release: November 5, 1993 REDUCED DISTANCE LEARNING RATES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS By next January, Texas educational institutions, particularly those located in rural areas, will be able to utilize distance learning and interactive multimedia teaching aides at discounted rates, following action yb the Public Utility Commission at the Final Order Meeting November 3. Upon meeting criteria, schools located in geographically dispersed sites could be connected via electronic video, data or voice transmission in real-time, two-way interactive hookup at a 25% discount. Following a unanimous vote by the three PUC Commissioners, public or private educational institutions -- from primary schools to institutions of higher learning -- will be able to utilized distance learning and interactive services for their student's benefit. Commissioners express their strong interest in having the PUC, which regulates the state's telecommunication industry, support efforts to increase availability of technology allowing school instruction transmitted from one site to one or more other sites. The State of Texas has estimated annual savings of $1.4 million based solely on access to the Texas Education Network (TENET). Other, similar distance learning programs could also benefit, utilizing real-time interactive voice, data or electronic transmissions for distance learning. Educators praised the PUC staff for its drafting of a rule that allows favored rate treatment for Texas schools. Telephone companies made mostly favorable comments on the measure, which is designed to open up access to distance educational resources. The 73rd Legislature enacted H.B. 653 and H.B. 1029, which mandates reduced telecommunication service rates to educational institutions seeking distance learning services. The discount for schools will likely be available by January 1994. The adopted rule also established the criteria for schools to qualify; the procedure for identifying predominant distance learning services; and orders that all local exchange companies provide annual reports on demand for the services in educational institutions statewide. School administrators interested in obtaining more details should contact their regional education service center. Attached is a fact sheet on the new rule. PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION ADOPTS NEW RULE WHAT: SUBSTANTIVE RULE 23.93 Distance Learning and Interactive Multimedia Communications WHEN: Adopted November 3, 1993 Becomes effective 20 days after filing with the Secretary of State's Office WHO QUALIFIES: Requires local exchange telephone companies to file tariffs in compliance with the rule within 30 days after the rule becomes effective. WHAT SERVICES QUALIFIES: Any tariffed service used predominantly for distance learning purposes is eligible for a 24% rate reduction. A service is used predominantly for distance learning purposes when over 50% of the traffic is carried, whether in video, data, voice, and/or electronic information, is used for distance learning. HOW TO QUALIFY: To qualify for the discounted rate, an educational institution must provide a sworn affidavit to the local exchange company. The affidavit shall specify and quantify, if applicable, the requested service(s) to be discounted and state that the service(s) will be used predominantly for distance learning purposes, stating the intended use(s) of the discounted service(s). The affidavit shall be signed by the administrative head of the institution or a designee. The educational institution shall provide an Affidavit each time it orders services that will be used predominantly for distance learning purposes. No other special form needs to be provided as part of the application process. IMPACT OF THE RULE: Each local exchange company will file an annual report with the commission indicating the demand for distance learning services provided under its distance learning tariff. These reports will be available to interested parties through the Commission's Office of Central Records. The amount of saving generated by the rule can be calculated from this information. -- Connie Stout (512) 471-3241 UT (512) 463-9091 - TEA Texas Education Network (512) 471-1582: fax University of Texas Austin (512) 463-0828 ex. 39091: Voice Mail Computation Center cstout () tenet edu
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- REDUCED DISTANCE LEARNING RATES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS -- Tx David Farber (Dec 08)