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Report: Connecting the Globe: Telecommunications Development 2000

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 19, 2001




CHAIRMAN KENNARD RELEASES REPORT ON FCC'S FIRST GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE


Washington, DC -- Today, Chairman William Kennard released a report titled, Connecting the Globe: Telecommunications Development 2000. The report describes the FCC's initiative to work with developing/emerging nations to overcome the regulatory obstacles contributing to the global Digital Divide. The report describes the work the FCC has done through the initiative, as well as the partnerships it has crafted with others in government, multilateral institutions, and industry.

The report includes the Work Plans signed under the Initiative with regulatory counterparts in Argentina, Ghana, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Uganda. These documents broadly outline the technical expertise the FCC is committed to sharing with its Work Plan partners. The report also explains how these efforts will be augmented by the FCC's so-to-be launched on-line regulator's course, developed in collaboration with the Cisco Learning Institute.

Upon its release Chairman Kennard remarked, "Increased collaboration between the FCC and our foreign counterparts is essential to promoting pro-competitive policies abroad to lower consumer costs and increase access to telecommunications services. I am extremely proud of our success in enhancing regulator-to-regulator contacts through the Development Initiative, and I am grateful to our many partners - both government and private - who have contributed to this effort."

Additional information is available online at http://www.fcc.gov/ib/developinitiative.

For further information about this report contact Roxanne McElvane or Jack Deasy, 202-418- 1460.

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