REDUCED DISTANCE LEARNING RATES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS -- Tx

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

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