In addition, minimal standards for system security should be defined. This statement was developed by the IEEE-USA Medical Technology Policy Committee and represents the considered judgment of a group of U.S. IEEE members with expertise in the subject field. While some libraries, schools and health-care centers can serve as appropriate sites for public access, use and training, they are not a substitute for needed widespread access by individuals in their homes. The focus of the law's implementation has now shifted to the Federal Communications Commission and the states. In the information age, this definition is no longer sufficient.
Vital communication occurs between and among users and information and service providers.
It encompasses not only voice but data, images and two-way interactive video communications. To use an analogy, it does little good to transport a person to the doors of a library or health-care center only to have that person find that obtaining the information or service within is prohibitively costly. This implies a need for non-proprietary information and publicly oriented services to be available at affordable cost. The members of IEEE who are professionals in the information industry are particularly aware of the high degree of computer literacy that will be required for members of the next generation to be functioning citizens and participants in the economy. The universal service debate must consider the availability of the infrastructure required to ensure that our citizens can receive the education and training they need.