FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
  August 3, 2000
  
      STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD ON
    REPORT ON DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS
                CAPABILITY TO ALL AMERICANS
                              
                              
  One of my top priorities as Chairman has been to ensure that all Americans have
  access to the technologies of tomorrow.  This report marks the first time we are able to
  assess the availability of advanced services using data from our recent Data Gathering
  Order.  We see some encouraging trends.  Investment is strong, subscribership is
  increasing, and facilities deployment grows at a rapid pace as competitors race to meet
  demand.
  
  Yet, while this report provides us a baseline for the future, it also shows the need
  for further, more sophisticated data, to give us a clearer view of deployment.  I share the
  concerns expressed by my colleague, Commissioner Tristani, and acknowledged in the
  report, that our zip code data are so general that they may overstate the level of
  deployment. 
  
  Of equal concern, the data in the report show, even at the aggregate level, that
  rural areas and low-income areas are much less likely to have access to advanced
  services.  It is incumbent on us not to let these particularly vulnerable areas be left behind
  in connecting all Americans to high speed services.  Thus, our report identifies these
  areas as in need of special focus.
  
  I would also be remiss if I did not take a moment to recognize the efforts of the
  Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Services.  The Joint Conference held field
  hearings across the country on broadband deployment, which further informed our
  understanding of the deployment of advanced telecommunications to all Americans.  In
  particular, I commend Bob Rowe, President of the National Association of Regulatory
  Utility Commissioners, and Nan Thompson, Chairman of the Regulatory Commission of
  Alaska, for their instrumental leadership on this project.
  
  
                          - FCC -