Telecommunications Administration Research Articles

Chile's Digital Learning Strategy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The change from in-person to in-home schooling and the rapid digitalization of the system impacted the access to education and the quality of the outcomes during the pandemic, but the extent to which digital measures helped school administrators to face that impact is difficult to understand without hearing from them directly. To give those who had to adapt to digital learning some voice, this report discusses the experiences of one national education policy expert, one Learning Resources Coordinator in a public school in Northern Chile, and one Technology Coordinator in an elite private school in Santiago during the process of adapting to digital learning. The goal of these semi-structured interviews was to explore the different digital learning strategies among systems and regions at the school-home level, to then compare them with the national vision and the information that official documents and Aprendo en línea provide. The interviews took place from November, 2020, to February, 2021, right between the end of Chile’s 2020 school year and the beginning of the 2021 one.
 The findings of the exploration indicate that school administrations, but also the type and position of schools within the education system, determined which digital strategy schools adopted and how successful it was. They further revealed the social disparities that prevailed by the lack of digital tools, but also new socio-educational challenges. In all, current Chilean officers stood out as the ones accountable for addressing the digital divide, which in this case can be understood as those who learned how to use digital tools (US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), 1999), and those who are learning to create them.

The Provision of Learning in Mexico During the COVID-19 Pandemic

To understand how Aprende en Casa contributed to the spread of digital learning and the implementation of the Educational Digital Agenda in Mexico, this report presents the analysis of an exploratory study that consisted of three semi-structured interviews. The interviewees for this inquiry were a leader of the Aprende en Casa strategy at SEP, the director of a basic education public school in Tijuana, northern Mexico, and the director of a private pre-school establishment in Mexico City. The interviews were conducted from February to August 2021 and centered on each interviewee's perspectives according to their professional standpoint. This report presents the results according to three topics that complemented each other among the interviews: the duty of the State as the main provide of education, the progress and setbacks in the use of technologies for educational purposes, and the factors that define the digital divide in Mexico. Findings suggest that the digital divide in Mexico cannot be merely understood as the access to devices and the Internet that the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) defined in 1999, but as a holistic set of factors that intervene in the use of technologies: Internet and mobile, social class, economic capital, emotions and perceptions, and public policy, results which are very much in line with Robinson et al. (2015). These factors interact within an already unequal society whose educational backbone is its Secretary of Education, but whose implementation burden ultimately lies on the teaching staff.

Disparities in Purposeful Internet Use in U.S. States: Spatiotemporal Patterns and Socioeconomic Influences

As attention in digital divide research shifts from internet access to its use, and subsequently its impacts, this paper examines purposeful uses of the internet for the US states in 2017 using data from the Digital Nation Data Explorer of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The conceptual model posits relationships of a group of demographic, societal, economic, and social capital variables to purposeful internet use (PIU) dependent variables that reference spatial clustering. The research questions are examine spatial patterns of PIU in US states and associations of demographic, socio-economic, affordability, innovation, social capital and societal openness factors with PIU dependent variables. Methods employed include k-means cluster analysis, mapping, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. Findings reveal unique cluster-based spatial patterns of high and low PIU in regions of the nation. The regression associations indicate that leading factors influencing PIU are professional, managerial, science and arts occupation, age (an inverse effect), social capital (positive effect), selected racial/ethnicity factors, and societal openness, with differences between PIU indicators for e-communication, e-entertainment, e-education, e-commerce, e-health, and purposeful internet use for internet-of-things and location-based services. Policy implications of the findings are discussed. The study is novel due to its emphasis on purposeful uses representing a second-level digital divide, the spatial insights, and new empirical findings.

Comments on the Formulation of the National Broadband Research Agenda

This paper responds to a call by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) for public comment to inform the development of the National Broadband Research Agenda. We propose the development of a comprehensive national database on Internet access packages and pricing available to residential consumers. While some data exist on average annual spending on Internet access service nationwide, the level of detail is inadequate to use for research or to correlate with demographic factors that might affect Internet access. Aggregate annual pricing statistics also fail to detail any breakdown of costs, which may include monthly service charges, introductory pricing that changes over time, installation fees, activation fees, data overages, and equipment purchases. Moreover, high-level numbers do not allow researchers to evaluate the effects of competition in regional marketplaces. The formulation of a National Broadband Research Agenda presents an opportunity to create a robust database from which researchers, individuals and institutions could benefit.

Estimates of Economic Value Generated by Contracting Radio Exclusion Zones in the 1695-1710 MHz Band

This paper estimates the economic value of contracting protection or exclusion zones for three polar weather satellite earth stations in the 1695 MHz–1710 MHz band located in Suitland, MD; Miami, FL; and San Francisco, CA.In 2010 President Obama directed the Secretary of Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to make 500 MHz of spectrum available within the next decade for wireless broadband use. As part of its “fast track report” responding to the President’s request, the NTIA identified 1695–1710 MHz as one a number of candidate bands. The fast track report calculated exclusion zones – radii surrounding satellite earth stations in which commercial operation would be disallowed. Subsequently a working group within the NTIA’s Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC) conducted more detailed work on the exclusion zones. The CSMAC working group refined the analysis whereby the radii were calculated, shrinking those radii in the process. It also recommended converting the exclusion zones to protection zones in which certain commercial activities could be permitted if they were coordinated beforehand with federal uses. The purpose of this paper is to estimate the economic value of the reduction of the radii, treating the smaller protection zones as if they were exclusion zones to simplify the analysis.This paper uses a rough population-based methodology, under which the value of a given spectrum license is assumed to be directly proportional to the number of people who can be served by that license. Population is assumed to be evenly distributed across the given area. Though this approach is obviously imprecise, it suffices to give an order-of-magnitude estimate of the economic value that would be created by shrinking exclusion zones and converting them to protection zones. It also treats exclusion zones and protection zones as functionally identical because it does not seek to generate precise dollar figures that would entail valuing the option of operating inside a protection zone.This paper’s findings may contribute to the deliberations of the Federal Communications Commission Technological Advisory Council (FCC TAC) working group exploring how risk-informed interference assessment, and particularly quantitative risk assessment rather than worst-case analysis, can inform spectrum sharing or spectrum allocation questions. The calculations contained in the NTIA’s fast track report were based on worst-case or at least very conservative assumptions. CSMAC’s assumptions were less conservative, for example using a realistic distribution of transmit power values for interfering mobiles rather than the maximum in all cases. This paper thus estimates the economic value generated by the change in method.

The U.S. National Broadband Map: Data limitations and implications

The 2011 release of the National Broadband Map (NBM) has generated significant interest from the telecommunications policy community. The NBM is a multiagency effort, including the National Telecommunications Administration (NTIA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories, to collect and disseminate information on broadband provision and quality of service for the United States. From a geographic perspective, the NBM represents a marked departure from previous broadband data efforts. Specifically, instead of disseminating FCC Form 477 data on providers at the ZIP code or Census tract level, the NBM reports provision information at the Census block level—the smallest geographic unit in which the Census bureau tabulates survey information. While this increased level of geographic data resolution is a welcome change, there are several notable limitations to these data that are important to consider when conducting spatial econometric analysis for public policy evaluation. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is twofold. First, this paper explores the salient characteristics of Census block geographic base files, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses as summary units of spatial analysis. This also includes a brief discussion on how the NBM treats geographically large blocks and their use of road segments for aggregating provider data. Second, this paper examines the impacts of empty blocks (i.e. blocks that have no household information associated with them) for the spatial analysis of broadband. Finally, this paper provides a short overview of how these data limitations can impact public policy evaluation and provides a blueprint for improving the National Broadband Map.

RF Performance of DTV Converter Boxes—An Overview of FCC Measurements

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Laboratory conducted radio-frequency (RF) performance measurements and functionality tests on manufacturer-supplied samples of 136 digital television (DTV) converter box models on behalf of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The tests served as one step in the NTIA's approval process for converter boxes to be eligible for dollar40 government coupons provided by the U.S. Congress in support of the DTV transition. We present statistics of RF performance measurements for 116 converter box models that were approved by the NTIA. Results are presented as 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile values across the set of converter boxes that were tested and approved. The RF performance measurements include: sensitivity; susceptibility to phase noise and burst noise; susceptibility to interference from single DTV signals on adjacent and taboo channels and from pairs of DTV signals on channels spaced to place third-order intermodulation products in the tuned channel; single-static-echo performance; ability to demodulate the ATSC field ensembles; and RF pass-through gain and noise.

Regulating the Government's Airwaves: Creation of the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC)

Commercial interests and unequal power among government departments dominated the institutionalization of radio policy in the United States in the 1920s. These interests and government-sponsored radio endeavors diverged then so no viable government-owned radio operation emerged to compete with, or to complement, commercial radio. The struggle among these entities ultimately formed the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), the agency responsible to-day for regulating government spectrum with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This article chronicles IRAC's early years to passage of the Radio Act of 1927, when the split between government and private uses for radio truly took hold.

Department of Education Community Technology Center grant allocations

One of the solutions promoted by both the US government and a number of private organisations to bridge the Digital Divide problem is the establishment of Community Technology Centers (CTCs). This study examines the relationship between CTC grants allocated by the Department of Education (DOE) and the outcomes from three Digital Divide studies reported by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The reports showed that every region experienced significant increases in the percentage of computer ownership and internet access and this study found that grant allocations were efficiently allocated.

THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND RURAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

This article reviews four major reports of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, regarding the digital divide and rural community colleges. The first report was published in 1995; subsequent reports were issued in 1998, 1999, and 2000. It is clear that a digital divide, as measured by lower penetration rates of telephone usage, personal computer ownership, and Internet access and usage, exist in rural America. These lower rates exist for nearly every category measured, including single parent households, young and old persons, minority and majority populations, persons with disabilities, adult educational attainment, and income. The reports reveal that in many aspects the divide is growing. Current data on PC ownership and Internet usage are presented for dissemination to practitioners. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of this divide for rural community college students, teachers, administrators, and policymakers.

Managing a training organization-the challenges of leading the way

Performance ImprovementVolume 41, Issue 3 p. 37-43 Article Managing a training organization-the challenges of leading the way Charline Wells, Charline Wells wellsca@thuntek.net Charline A. Wells is currently the Program Manager of the Corporate Training, Development and Education Organization at Sandia National Laboratories. In this position she has responsibility for business, leadership and management education and training programs as well as training operations. She has been responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans, assigning staff, working with numerous customers, and ultimately being accountable for program success. Her work as a performance technologist focuses not only on instructional design but also on organizational design issues. In each of these areas she has not only performed the work, but also supervised, managed, and consulted with company management. She has been recognized by Sandia for professional excellence and received the Sandia President's Quality Award, in addition to many other awards. Charline is active professionally. Recently profiled by Training magazine (Nov. '01) as a mover and shaker in the training industry, she represents thousands of skilled professionals who go about their work diligently and with enormous passion, reshaping and redefining the business of learning in corporate America. She served a two-year term as President of ISPI. Charline is recognized in the field both nationally and internationally. She has spoken at conferences in Norway for the Norwegian Telecommunications Administration and in Edmonton, Alberta, for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.Search for more papers by this author Charline Wells, Charline Wells wellsca@thuntek.net Charline A. Wells is currently the Program Manager of the Corporate Training, Development and Education Organization at Sandia National Laboratories. In this position she has responsibility for business, leadership and management education and training programs as well as training operations. She has been responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans, assigning staff, working with numerous customers, and ultimately being accountable for program success. Her work as a performance technologist focuses not only on instructional design but also on organizational design issues. In each of these areas she has not only performed the work, but also supervised, managed, and consulted with company management. She has been recognized by Sandia for professional excellence and received the Sandia President's Quality Award, in addition to many other awards. Charline is active professionally. Recently profiled by Training magazine (Nov. '01) as a mover and shaker in the training industry, she represents thousands of skilled professionals who go about their work diligently and with enormous passion, reshaping and redefining the business of learning in corporate America. She served a two-year term as President of ISPI. Charline is recognized in the field both nationally and internationally. She has spoken at conferences in Norway for the Norwegian Telecommunications Administration and in Edmonton, Alberta, for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.Search for more papers by this author First published: 08 February 2007 https://doi.org/10.1002/pfi.4140410309Citations: 1 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume41, Issue3March 2002Pages 37-43 RelatedInformation

Information Haves and Have Nots

Summary The divide between information have and have-nots is highlighted by National Telecommunications and Information Administration studies. While more Americans have access to the Internet than ever before, a great majority of Blacks, Hispanics and other minorities lack such access. The role of libraries is this “information apartheid” situation is to provide free access to the Net and other technologies. A related matter: the question of domain names.

Regulatory Reform of European Telecommunications: Past Experience and Forward-Looking Perspectives

A cornerstone for the take-off of the development towards competition in European telecommunications markets was the Commission of the European Communities' British Telecom decision in 1982 and its confirmation by the European Court of Justice in 1985. According to this decision, British Telecom should no longer be permitted to forbid the high-speed forwarding of telex messages between foreign countries by competitive agencies in Great Britain. The procedural setting of this case was most unusual because the Italian government and not British Telecom appealed against the Commission's decision. Moreover, the British government intervened, taking sides not with the Italian government, but with the Commission. The important message of the British Telecom case has been that the Commission of the European Communities is able to apply the Treaty of Rome's competition rules in the European telecommunications administration based on the public law of the different member countries.

Spectrum management: a balancing process

The proper allocation of spectrum between the federal users and the private sector has become a central issue. The author describes how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) ensures that federal spectrum is used efficiently and continues to identify spectrum for reallocation to the private sector. The NTIA also promotes policies to ensure efficient spectrum usage by the private sector. For example, NTIA was one of the principal proponents urging Congress to give the FCC auction authority. The NTIA has also proposed a spectrum auction methodology to the FCC that would generate higher auction revenues and a more efficient assignment of licenses. NTIA believes that it can make additional contributions in this area to enhance the future revenue potential of the auction process. He emphasizes that to evaluate fully the potential for raising revenue from reallocation of additional federal spectrum to the private sector, one must understand the difficult trade-offs involved. Federal agencies use spectrum to provide critical public services, and, there is virtually no prime spectrum lying fallow. In addition, international treaty allocations and obligations must be taken into account.

Global telecommunications: the technology, administration, and policies

The world of telecommunications and information global telecommunications development the technology of global telecommunications administration of global telecommunications global and regional satellite systems national and some separate international satellite systems worldwide telecommunications deregulation trends - development and concerns integrated services digital networks - development and issues high definition television (HDTV) - development and policy issues international telecommunications tariffs, arrangements and regulations competition in the international satellite systems direct broadcast satellite telecommunications aspects of European Community's plan for integration in 1992 standards and global telecommunications.

The NTIA Telecom 2000 report: charting the course for a new century

A comprehensive report on the communications policies that the US government should follow to ensure that national economic, government, and social needs are met in the year 2000 and beyond, released in October 1, 1988 by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), is discussed. The report, which is broad in scope, stresses the virtues of limited government involvement and maximum possible reliance on the private sector. It reviews the problems of simply transferring pro-competitive, deregulatory US policies from the domestic to the international communications arena. The report demonstrates how communications policy choices will affect a broad range of other topics, such as educational opportunities, the global competitiveness of American industry, and the quality of national life. The great importance of effectively competitive international communications and the trend toward liberalization in key overseas markets is also addressed. >

Ergonomic design and development — background of Televerket's type ES101 telephone operator system

The rapidly growing use of video display terminals (VDTs) in workstations for telephone operators and other kinds of service operators has been accompanied by concern over increased tedium and/or monotony at work. It is also well known that concern for health over possible negative effects is the subject of continuous discussion and dispute between employers, employees, scientists, manufacturers and trade unions. This article deals with work carried out within Televerket (the Swedish Telecommunications Administration) to establish a design and development methodology which will eliminate and/or minimize these problems.

Integrated Broad-Band Communication Systems in Belgium

Belgian politicians, the National Telecommunications Administration (RTT), and the telecommunication industry in general fully realize the major economic, industrial, and social importance of an advanced telecommunications infrastructure for the future of the country. A national effort is therefore underway. This paper describes the specific Belgian telecommunications environment, its development towards an ISDN infrastructure, and evolution towards the integration of telecommunication and distribution services into a uniform broad-band communication network. The present network structures for both telecommunication and distribution services are briefly discussed in this paper. Furthermore, plans and experiments in the area of ISDN are also described. Explanations related to the basic concepts of a national integrated broad-band communication network and possible architectures for a demonstration project are given.

Ergonomic procurement guidelines for visual display units as a tool for progressive change

Abstract The Swedish Telecommunications Administration (STA) has put to gether a set of requirement specifications for general purpose Visual Display Units (VDUs), and in particular for VDUs to be used in telephone directory services and similar computer supported customer services. For VDUs based on Cathode Ray Tube technology, a rationale is presented for ergonomic requirements such as dark characters on a light background, a minimum refresh rate of 70 Hz, limits for acceptable levels of electric and magnetic field strengths, and full tilt, swivel and height adjustability of the VDU. Standardized measurement methods for e.g. legibility and resolution are needed in further developing the ergonomic procure ment process.

ComforTable®—a generic desk for the automated office

Abstract The Swedish Telecommunications Administration (STA) has designed and marketed ComforTable®, a generic workstation for visual display terminals (VDTs). Among its features are pushbutton, electrically operated height adjustment for the table top and a digital display showing the operational height in centimetres. ComforTable® meets current user needs and demands for flexibility, and it is designed to accommodate the newer models of VDTs in Sweden, virtually all of which come with tiltable, height-adjustable screens and thin, detachable keyboards. This paper presents a rationale for the development and use of this generic workstation.