\[Federal Register: June 12, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 113)\]

\[&thnsp;Notices\]

\[Page 40268-40269\]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access \[wais.access.gpo.gov\]

\[DOCID:fr12jn02-39\]

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**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Rural Utilities Service**

**Notice of Public Meeting on Rural Broadband Access**

**AGENCY:** Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

**ACTION:** Notice of public meeting.

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**SUMMARY:** This is to notify telecommunications systems financed by
the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), lenders, and other interested persons
that RUS is holding a public meeting in order for interested persons to
express their views on the challenges of deploying broadband services to
rural America, the successes, the role of competition in providing
access to rural areas.

**DATES:** The public meeting will be held on June 27, 2002, starting at
9 a.m. eastern time, with registration at 8 a.m. The public meeting will
end at 4:30 p.m. unless concluded earlier.

**ADDRESSES:** The public meeting will be held in room 0348, South
Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC. Persons interested in making a presentation at the
meeting should send a written request to Roberta D. Purcell, Assistant
Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, room
4056--S, Stop 1590, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250--1590.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:** Roberta D. Purcell, Assistant
Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, room
4056--S, Stop 1590, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250--1500, Telephone: (202) 720--9554.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:** The meeting will be conducted by
representatives of the Department of Agriculture. The proceedings of the
meeting will be transcribed and considered in implementing provisions of
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107--171)
concerning the Rural Broadband Access loan and loan guarantee program.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide background information for
consideration in the implementation and administration of its
telecommunications broadband loan program. The Agency will retain a
summary of the meeting.

RUS is particularly interested in receiving presentations on the
following specific issues as they relate to rural broadband access:

1\. The demand for rural broadband access---What is driving the demand?
What is limiting demand? Who are the players and what are their
roles---federal, state, and local governments, service providers,
equipment manufacturers, private lenders, educational and health care
organizations, public safety agencies, etc. What services are in demand,
which are not?

2\. The deployment of broadband access---Where is broadband access
available today in rural America---schools, hospitals, law enforcement,
businesses, residences? Is there an abundance of dark fiber and if, so,
how can that best be used in serving rural America? What technologies
are available---which are succeeding, what are their limitations, and at
what cost?

3\. The rural landscape---Who serves rural America? What inhibits rural
investment?

4\. Universal service---Who will protect/finance the carriers of last
resort? Will broadband service be a supported service?

5\. Competition---What role does competition play? Can a rural area
support competing broadband providers? What impact will a competitor
have on local exchange service?

6\. The benefits---What are the success stories---to local residents and
national interest?

To schedule oral testimony for the public meeting, notify Ms. Purcell,
in writing, at the above address. Requests may be sent by facsimile
transfer to (202) 720--0810 or e-mail to: bpurcell@rus.usda.gov. Persons
who wish to make oral presentations must restrict presentations to 10
minutes and are also encouraged to have written copies of their complete
comments, including exhibits, for inclusion in the official record.
Written copies should also be sent to Ms. Purcell in advance of the
meeting. Persons who register their attendance at the public meeting,
but who have not been scheduled in advance to present oral testimony,
will be given an opportunity to do so if time permits. Otherwise, such
persons will be allowed the opportunity to submit their views in writing
by June 27, 2002, for inclusion in the official record.

Subject to the limitations described in the preceding paragraph, any
interested person will be given the opportunity to appear and be heard
with respect to matters relevant and material to the subject. However,
presiding officials may limit the number of times that any one person
may be heard and limit or exclude material that is irrelevant,
immaterial, or unduly repetitious. Such action is intended to focus the
discussion on the relevant issues, to ensure that all interested persons
have an opportunity to participate to the extent time permits, and to
prevent undue prolongation of the meeting. Presiding officials may ask
questions at the meeting of persons making presentations. The questions
and responses will become a part of the official record.

Copies of the transcript of the meeting will not be available for
distribution from the Department. However, the transcript of the meeting
will be available for public inspection in room 4040 at RUS, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, during regular business hours
(7 CFR 1.27(b)). Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the transcript
should make arrangements with the court reporter at the meeting.

Dated: June 6, 2002.

Hilda Gay Legg,

Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

\[FR Doc. **02**--**14682** **Filed** 6--11--**02**; 8:45 am\]

BILLING CODE 3410--15--P