WPC2 CjKa p3a4ܞfNvtL?TdZaTlB`ԟV&JnT'A0z33c5Նfu2S8vN>MH$'!CGQ^ OD/2l,P2^1#C}nh⏢[bA13|IaMWi C 嶑}}m_sj?甪#ae k 걳Wlk.hdj&P\d3-g{y&mUe;2nslLڙa㝀P/\"%e2vkw%I#Nge</AL/(D[nisf6IU^#{mhk5C7N/jX 07. 0e 0d 0c 0b 0f 0` 0]_ 0] 0< 0+U 0b 0tw 0  09 0k 0wg 0w 0U 0 0S 0t 0SN! 0S" 0/# 0<#% 0i_% 04& 0n' 0uj( 0p) 0nO+<,/ 03 B3 D33 D+34 03555 Ak9@ :@ : :8:< 0< 0(g= 0= AQ>m> C]@fw@ay@ 1W@ 0C@'AD wHjKvRaVr][^awxg*mq{t{w 0 {{ 0r{#!h|UN} %}N} 1u}o~T~w ~4~ B~ m^ &\  `&Times New Roman8r6Heading 1 &&&S\  `&Times New RomanS    S\  `&Times New RomanS&&&8cV6Heading 2 S\  `&Times New RomanS   S\  `&Times New RomanS8cV6Heading 3 S\  `&Times New RomanS   S\  `&Times New RomanS8cV6Heading 4 S\  `&Times New RomanS   S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 5 /% hp x (#/XXXS\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8&&&S\  `&Times New RomanS 86Heading 6 /% hp x (#/S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8 S\  `&Times New RomanS8cV6Heading 7 S\  `&Times New RomanS   S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 8 &p x (#&S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8 S\  `&Times New RomanS86Heading 9 &p x (#&S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8 S\  `&Times New RomanS<:Default Para4ll2ParaNum &&&S\  `&Times New RomanSS\  `&Times New RomanS&&&<ll:Endnote TextS\  `&Times New RomanS&&&S\  `&Times New RomanS<:Endnote Refe<Wc:Footnote Tex x     5+` hp x 5      A7X` hp x (#A<oo:Footnote Ref&&&S\  `&Times New RomanSS\  `&Times New RomanS&&&0.TOC 1 X X     S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 2  X ` ` `    S\  `&Times New RomanS   A7X` hp x (#A  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 3  X      S\  `&Times New RomanS   A7X` hp x (#A  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 4 ` X    -  S\  `&Times New RomanS   A7X` hp x (#A  -  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 5  X hhh   -  S\  `&Times New RomanS   A7X` hp x (#A  -  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 6 X  (#  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 7 X 5+` hp x (#5  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 8 X  (#  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS0.TOC 9 X  (#  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS<g:TOA Heading  (#S\  `&Times New RomanS8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS<:_Equation Ca20Header (#&&&S\  `&Times New RomanS A7X` hp x (#A S\  `&Times New RomanS&&&2m0Footer  (#S\  `&Times New RomanSA7X` hp x (#AS\  `&Times New RomanS<:Page Number :8Block Text   ,"` ` hp x,S\  `&Times New RomanS   8.` hp x (#8S\  `&Times New RomanS20Bullet  /% hp x (#/  S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS<:TableFormat h #p x (## H S\  `&Times New RomanS  8.` hp x (#8  S\  `&Times New RomanS'   C : \ P r o g r a m F i l e s \ M i c r o s o f t O f f i c e \ T e m p l a 20i c e \ T e m p l a .     %,a'O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  !(#X!&%H%%&%H&%H%%&%H   Y  Q'(XQQ  FederalCommunicationsCommissionA(#DA002561 Y݌ X Ќ! X(#!&%H%%&%H&%H%%&%H  !(#X!&%H%%&%H&%H%%&%H   2  A( j:!A(e2,a$ MM!  O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H   d&&&&'dxd'dxd  *,a)O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  $ (#X$&%H%%&%H  Y  9 p x (# (#9(e2,a$ MM!  O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H   ,  %,a'O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%H @   !(#X!2&%H%XXL #bbddQ**FederalCommunicationsCommission A(# DA002561  X H1X` hp x (#(#H2-  #ddbb-/p`\ ~Kp@0ddxKE%KKG%J-  #bbddB.` hp x (#XXBS SD %&%H#ddbb SDS&%H% (&Draw Object <<=8C HKKKK/ S  1  *,a)O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%H67QA=x h  p @XEX|\X (#(#ZXXL @ ttX  S ZS2&%H% ԃ Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5(e2,a$ MM!  O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  ($(e2,a$ MM!  O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  2534(C<< c  5,a"O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HZXXL$ (#X$ZZ    &%H%Z2  ݌  Ќ$ X (#$&%H%%&%H  Z%&%H dTable_A$35;?CGKOS11.1111111($      MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  1  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀLetterfromSteveSimoneau,WestTexasTelecommunicationsConsortium,toFederalCommunications X Commission,filedMay3,2000(LetterofAppeal).&%H%Z {  MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  2  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀSection54.719(c)oftheCommissionsrulesprovidesthatanypersonaggrievedbyanactiontakenbyadivision X oftheAdministratormayseekreviewfromtheCommission.47C.F.R.54.719(c).&%H%Z {  MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  3  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {Ӏ47C.F.R.54.502,54.503.&%H%Z { ` MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  4  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {Ӏ47C.F.R.54.501(a),54.517.SeealsoFederalStateJointBoardonUniversalService,ReportandOrder, X CCDocketNo.9645,#bbdd12FCCRcd8776,908485,para.589(1997)(UniversalServiceOrder),ascorrectedby  Federal-StateJointBoardonUniversalService,Errata,CCDocketNo.9645,FCC97-157(rel.June4,1997),  affirmedinpartinTexasOfficeofPublicUtilityCounselv.FCC,183F.3d393(5thCir.1999#ddbb),motionforstay R grantedinpart(Sept.28,1999),petitionsforrehearingandrehearingenbancdenied(Sept.28,1999)#bbddԀ(affirming p UniversalServiceOrderinpartandreversingandremandingonunrelatedgrounds),cert.deniedinCelpage,Inc.v#ddbb. 6 FCC,120S.Ct.2212(May30,2000),cert.grantedinGTEServiceCorp.v.FCC,120S.Ct.2214(June5,2000),  cert.deniedinAT&TCorp.v.CincinnatiBellTel.Co.,120S.Ct.2237(June5,2000).&%H%Z { l MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  5  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀLetterfromUniversalServiceAdministrativeCompanytoWestTexasTelecommunicationsConsortium,dated X November16,1999.&%H%Z {  MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  6  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀTheCommissionsrulesdefine telecommunicationsserviceasthe offeringoftelecommunicationsforafee X directlytothepublic,ortosuchclassesofusersastobeeffectivelyavailabletothepublic,regardlessofthefacilitiesused.Telecommunicationsisdefinedas thetransmission,betweenoramongpointsspecifiedbytheuser,ofinformationoftheuserschoosing,withoutchangeinformorcontentoftheinformationassentandreceived.See47C.F.R.54.5.&%H%Z { h MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  7  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀLetterfromUniversalServiceAdministrativeCompanytoWestTexasTelecommunicationsConsortium,dated X April3,2000.&%H%Z {  MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  8  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀSee47C.F.R.54.5.&%H%Z {  MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  9  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀSee47C.F.R.54.517(b):K݌ X Ќx @   $4` XX$  {x @   E+` hp x 4` XE  d  { HHx<( ` hp xX<(b)Supportedservices.Nontelecommunicationscarriersshallbeeligibleforuniversal l servicesupportunderthissubpartforprovidingInternetaccessandinstallationandmaintenanceofinternalconnections.&%H%Z { m MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  10  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀLetterofAppealat2.Inaddition,WestTexasalsocontendsthatitsconclusionwasbasedoninformation X providedontheSLDwebsiteandconversationswithSLDstaffbyphone.Astothisassertion,wefindthatsuchstatementsareinsufficienttoexemptWestTexasfromcomplyingwiththeprogramrules.Wenotethatrulesandpoliciesareenforced,evenwhereapartymayhavereceivederroneousadvicefromagovernmentemployee,andtheCommissionisnotestoppedfromenforcingitsrulesinamannerthatisinconsistentwiththeadviceprovidedbytheemployee,particularlywhenthereliefrequestedwouldbecontrarytoanapplicablestatuteorrule.Inre 6 MaryAnnSalvatoriello,MemorandumOpinionandOrder,6FCCRcd4705,470708,para.22(1991)(citing  OfficeofPersonnelManagementv.Richmond,497U.S.1046(1990)).&%H%Z {  MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  11  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀUniversalServiceOrder,12FCCRcdat900809,para.436.&%H%Z {  MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  12  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {Ӏ47C.F.R.54.5.&%H%Z { q MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  13  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀSeeServiceAgreement,WestTexasTelecommunicationsConsortiumandTexasStateTechnicalCollege, X datedMarch29,1999.&%H%Z { q MM! @ O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%HB.4` hp x (#XBx @   E+` hp x 4` XE    c&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  c  14  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ZXXL {ӀSeeServiceAgreement,WestTexasTelecommunicationsConsortiumandTexasStateTechnicalCollege, X datedMarch29,1999.&%H%Z {(2D$ MM!  O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H  XLX%&%H  0  #|x(JM$  O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%HHP LaserJet 5L PCL,,,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman RegularOX3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)WPCZ<5131d3d5. %%4ӀK<(H7 dUmm) MM!  O&%H%XOX&%H%%O&%H        XX$)  _XLX%&%H __********************************************************  ЀNOTICE********************************************************ThisdocumentwasconvertedfromWordPerfectorWordtoASCIITextformat.Contentfromtheoriginalversionofthedocumentsuchasheaders,footers,footnotes,endnotes,graphics,andpagenumberswillnotshowupinthistextversion.Alltextattributessuchasbold,italic,underlining,etc.fromtheoriginaldocumentwillnotshowupinthistextversion.Featuresoftheoriginaldocumentlayoutsuchascolumns,tables,lineandletterspacing,pagination,andmarginswillnotbepreservedinthetextversion.Ifyouneedthecompletedocument,downloadtheWordPerfectversionorAdobeAcrobatversion,ifavailable.*****************************************************************    Beforethe+0FederalCommunicationsCommissionWashington,D.C.20554  E1X` hp x (#XE2 #bbdd*9: Vddd Xdd Xdd X(#(#,KZZ,ZZ,ZZ+  ,"   ,6" p x (#XX62IntheMatterofK.` hp x (#XKRequestforReviewoftheDecisionof#ddbbtheUniversalServiceAdministratorby O4  #bbddWestTexasTelecommunicationsConsortiumAbilene,TexasFederalStateJointBoardonUniversalServiceChangestotheBoardofDirectorsoftheNationalExchangeCarrierAssociation,Inc.#ddbb   3 p x (#X3 #bbdd)   )))))))))))))  ! $ (#X$XLXXXL    3 p x (#(#3݌̌*XX*XLXXXL  FileNo.SLD141204CCDocketNo.9645CCDocketNo.9721$-  $K1X` hp x (#XK2  B.` hp x (#XXB2 #ddbbORDER gL.   E1X` hp x (#XE2 #bbdd0p x (#XX0 򀀀Adopted:November8,2000 p Released:November9,2000  30 H.` hp x (#pXH2#ddbbBytheCommonCarrierBureau:#bbdd 2   &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H     XLX%&%H#ddbbC ; $3RCB.4` hp x (#XB X2  1  .3   4 TheBureauhasunderconsiderationaLetterofAppealfiledbytheWestTexas 4 TelecommunicationsConsortium(WestTexas),Abilene,Texas,onMay3,2000,seekingreviewofadecisionissuedbytheSchoolsandLibrariesDivision(SLD)oftheUniversalServiceAdministrativeCompany(Administrator).&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H   M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  = <  1      ׀WestTexasseeksreviewoftheSLDsdenialofits 7 applicationfordiscountsundertheschoolsandlibrariesuniversalservicesupportmechanism.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  > <  2      ׀  l8 Forthereasonssetforthbelow,wedenytheLetterofAppeal. Q ݌̌XLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  j  XLX%&%HH.4` hp x (#4` XH2  2  .3   4 Undertheschoolsandlibrariesuniversalservicesupportmechanism,eligibleschools, #; libraries,andconsortiathatincludeeligibleschoolsandlibraries,mayapplyfordiscountsforeligibletelecommunicationsservices,Internetaccess,andinternalconnections.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  ? <  3      ׀Eligible $=  schools,libraries,andconsortiamayreceivediscountedtelecommunicationsservicesonlyfrom % > +0 +,$ 0+1) 0  telecommunicationscarriers,butmayreceivediscountedInternetaccessandinternalconnectionsfromnontelecommunicationsproviders.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  \M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  @ <  4      ׀j݌ W  XLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H    XLX%&%HH.4` hp x (#4` XH2  3  .3   4 Initsapplication,WestTexasrequesteddiscountsforaserviceitcharacterizedas   InternetaccessprovidedbytheTexasStateTechnicalCollege.ByletterdatedNovember16,1999,SLDdeniedWestTexasapplicationfordiscounts.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  $M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  A <  5      ׀AlthoughWestTexascharacterized  g theservicesitsoughtasInternetaccess,SLDfoundthattherequestedserviceswereinfacttelecommunicationsservices.BecauseTexasStateTechnicalCollegeisnotatelecommunicationscarrier,SLDdeniedthefundingrequestbasedonitsfindingthatWestTexashadrequesteddiscountsfortelecommunicationsservicefromaproviderthatisnotatelecommunicationscarrier.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  BL  <  6      ׀ByletterdatedApril3,2000,SLDdeniedanappealofthis n  decisionfiledbyWestTexas.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  lM&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  C* <  7      ׀InthepresentappealtotheBureau,WestTexaschallengesthe Z  factthatitsservicerequestwasdeemedatelecommunicationsservice,andcontendsthattheservicecategoryshouldremainInternetaccess.K݌̌XLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H    XLX%&%HH.4` hp x (#4` XH2  4  .3   4 WestTexasdoesnotcontestSLDsconclusionthattheTexasStateTechnicalCollege j isnotatelecommunicationscarrier,asdefinedinourrules.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  !M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  D <  8      ׀Therefore,theWestTexasappeal V hingesonwhethertheservicesonwhichithasrequesteddiscountsarecharacterizedas telecommunicationsserviceorInternetaccess.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  p#M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  E| <  9      ׀WestTexascontendsthattheserviceshouldbe . characterizedasInternetaccessbecause ourISPistheproviderfortheconsortiumscompletepackageofInternetservices.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  O%M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  F <  10       ݌ W  XLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  &  XLX%&%HH.4` hp x (#4` XH2  5  .3   4 IntheUniversalServiceOrder,theCommissiondeterminedthatschoolsandlibraries  mayreceivediscountsfor basicconduitaccesstotheInternet.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  (M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  G <  11      ׀TheCommissionsrules  { define conduitservicestoinclude, [t]hetransmissionofinformationaspartofagatewaytoaninformationservice,[and]mayincludedatatransmission,addresstranslation,protocolconversion,billingmanagement,introductoryinformationcontent,andnavigationalsystemsthatenableuserstoaccessinformationservices.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  ]+M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  H <  12      &='݌ + ЌXLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  ,  XLX%&%HH.4` hp x (#4` XH2  6  .3   4 WeconcludethatSLDproperlydeniedfundinginaccordancewithprogramrules. 9  Becauseeligibleschools,libraries,andconsortiamayreceivediscountedtelecommunicationsservicesonlyfromatelecommunicationscarrier,itisincumbentupontheapplicanttoclearlydistinguishrequestsfortelecommunicationsservicesfromInternetaccess.Thisisparticularlyimportantwheretheserviceproviderisanontelecommunicationscarrier,prohibitedbyCommissionrulesfromreceivingfundingfortheprovisionoftelecommunicationsservices.WestTexasserviceagreementwithTexasStateTechnicalCollegeonitsfaceencompassesservicesthatextendbeyondbasicconduittoInternetaccess.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  0M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  IL  <  13      ׀Forexample,theservices B providedbyTexasStateTechnicalCollegeincludelongdistancetelephoneserviceandotherservicesthatarecharacterizedas telecommunicationsservicesintheserviceagreementbetweenWestTexasandTexasStateTechnicalCollege.&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  3M&%H%%&%HXLX%&%H  J  <  14      ׀Giventheprohibitiononfundingof q telecommunicationsservicesprovidedbyanontelecommunicationsproviderunderprogramrules,weconcludethatSLDproperlydeniedfunding.,A-݌̌XLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  P5  XLX%&%HP55݌  ЌXLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  ^6  XLX%&%H^66݌ $ ЌXLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  l7  XLX%&%Hl77݌ 2 ЌXLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  z8  XLX%&%Hz88݌  j ЌXLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  9  XLX%&%HH.4` hp x (#4` XH2  7  .3   4 ACCORDINGLY,ITISORDERED,pursuanttoauthoritydelegatedundersections k 0.91,0.291,and54.722(a)oftheCommissionsrules,47C.F.R.0.91,0.291,and54.722(a),thattheLetterofAppealfiledbytheWestTexasTelecommunicationsConsortium,Abilene,Texas,May3,2000ISDENIED.99݌̌XLXXXLXLXXXL  X&%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  a<  6p x (#4` X6XLX%&%HFEDERALCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMISSIONa<<݌  g ЌXLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  =  0p x (#X0XLX%&%H=->݌ u  ЌXLXXXLXLXXXL  &%H%XXL&%H%%&%H  ?  0p x (#X0XLX%&%HCarolE.Mattey   DeputyChief,CommonCarrierBureau?k?݌̌XLXXXLXLXXXL     B.` hp x (#XB