The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has accelerated competition. One of the questions raised by the new legislation is how will competition and universal service co-exist. At the same time, wireless services will become more abundant than ever before with wireless personal communications licenses auctioned across the country.

Historically, universal service has always been provided as a wireline service, regardless of the location. However, new and existing wireless technologies --Cellular/PCS wireless local loop, FWA, MDS/MMDS, LMDS, point-to-point microwave, and satellite -- could be used to provide basic and enhanced services to customers in low density areas. This event will investigate the technological, economic, and legal/regulatory issues surrounding these new developments.

  Participants:

• William Berkman, President, Associated Communication
• Kathryn Brown, Associate Adminstrator, Plans & Society, NTIA
• Peter Cassidy, Regulatory Policy Analysis, Nortel
• Bruce Egan, Columbia Institute for Tele-Information
• Prof. Robert Frieden, Penn State University
  Business, Legal, Regulatory and Spectrum Challenges to Widespread Deployment of Wireless Telephony
• David Gabel, Queens College
  The Effect of Cellular Service on the Cost Structure of a Land-Based Telephone Network
• Alex Hills, Vice Provost and CIO, Carnegie Mellon University
• Terrence P. McGarty, President, The Telemarc Group, Inc.
  The Economic Viability of Wireless Local Loop and its Impact on Universal Service
• David Trinkwon, Director of Marketing, North American Fixed Wireless Access, Nortel
  Technology of Fixed Wireless Access