INTERCONNECTIONS FOR NORTH CAROLINA AND BEYOND - THE REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TASK FORCE ON PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS TO GOVERNOR JAMES B HUNT, JR

• NCJ Number: 59475
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 123 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Markle Foundation; Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
• Corporate Author: North Carolina Task Force on Public Communications
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE STUDYING THE POTENTIAL OF PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AND THE SERVICES THEY DELIVER URGES A COHESIVE APPROACH TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLANNING.

Abstract

THE EMPHASIS IS ON PUBLIC SERVICE, THE COSTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, USE OF NEW TECHNIQUES, CONCERN FOR THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO SERVICES, AND SHARED USE OF FACILITIES. THERE ARE THREE GENERAL GOALS: (1) TO PROMOTE COORDINATION IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS USE, (2) TO SUSTAIN INTEREST IN IMPROVING ACCESS TO QUALITY SERVICES, AND (3) TO KEEP NORTH CAROLINA OFFICIALS INFORMED OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENTS THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL TO THE STATE. TO THIS END, THE TASK FORCE INVENTORIED FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL, CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS OF THOSE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE FIELD AND USERS, HELD MEETINGS, AND TRIED TO DETERMINE THE BALANCE BETWEEN SERVICE NEEDS AND AVAILABLE FACILITIES. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED MORE COST-EFFICFIENT USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS BY KEEPING USERS INFORMED ABOUT FACILITIES AND ENCOURAGING PERSONNEL TO USE THEM, AND SUBMITTED LEGISLATION TO CREATE AN AGENCY TO CONSOLIDATE MEDIA FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL, AND ANOTHER WHICH WOULD PULL TOGETHER STATUTES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND OPERATIONS. PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES IS ADDRESSED IN TERMS OF STORAGE, RETRIEVAL, AND AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH INFORMATION BY TELEPROCESSING. MAJOR USES OF TELECOMMUNICATION FOR PUBLIC ADVANTAGE INCLUDE NOT ONLY HEALTH MAINTENANCE BUT ALSO USE OF FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING OF CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATION SERVICES; AS A TEACHING AID; AND FOR 911 EMERGENCY USE. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS INCLUDE USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR INTERNAL MANAGEMENT AND TELECONFERENCES. EDUCATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES WILL HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE ADVANTAGES AND USES OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS ON THE JOB. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. APPENDIXES INCLUDE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE TASK FORCE, METHODS USED BY THE TASK FORCE, THE QUESTIONNAIRE, AND PROPOSED STATUTES. REFERENCES AND A GLOSSARY OF TERMS ARE PROVIDED. (RFC)