California Teleconnect Fund Expansion Offers New Opportunities for Community-Based Organizations.Business Editors LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2003 A recent ruling by the California Public Utilities Commission The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC; also often commonly referred to as simply the PUC) [1] is a state Public Utilities Commission which regulates privately-owned utilities in the state of California, including electric power, (PUC (Public Utility Commission) A regulatory body in every state in the U.S. that governs public utilities within its jurisdiction such as electricity, gas, oil, sewer, water, transportation and telephone service. Some states call it the Public Service Commission (PSC). ) expanding the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF CTF Capture The Flag CTF Child Trust Fund (UK) CTF Canadian Tax Foundation CTF Canadian Taxpayers Federation (lobby group) CTF Canadian Television Fund CTF Canadian Teachers' Federation ) that provides a 50 percent discount on telecommunications services In telecommunication, the term telecommunications service has the following meanings: 1. Any service provided by a telecommunication provider. 2. will create new opportunities for community-based organizations to offer affordable access to technology, training and other resources to individuals in low-income communities, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the California Community Technology Policy Group (CCTPG CCTPG California Community Technology Policy Group ), a coalition of community technology advocates. "This expansion will help to assure that underserved communities benefit from developments in digital technology and telecommunications," says Richard Chabran, chair of the CCTPG. "These changes make it more affordable and remove many of the barriers that discouraged community-based organizations from participating in the program." The May 8, 2003 ruling by the PUC provides educational, health care and government institutions, and community-based organizations with access to advanced telecommunications services in recognition of their economic and societal impact. The expansion adds community technology programs and district-owned and -operated hospitals and health clinics to the list of eligible entities that may use the fund. The ruling sets the discount rate for participating entities at 50% and adds DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary as an eligible service. It also streamlines the application process and standardizes the discounts and services eligible institutions receive. The CTF program discounts are funded by surcharges on consumer telephone bills. "This may help to cut our DSL access costs in half and provide us with affordable resources to better serve our community," says Reverend Jeff Carr, executive director of the Bresee Foundation, a non profit organization that provides community technology services, and a member of the coalition. "These changes will increase the effectiveness of the CTF program and increase the number of community-based organizations that it serves." The California Community Technology Policy Group (CCTPG) is a coalition of more than 100 nonprofit community technology organizations advocating for the expansion of technology and telecommunications resources to serve low-income communities. Editors Please Note: A more comprehensive news release is available on the web at http://www.cctpg.org |
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