The National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIIAC) (http://www.niiac-info.org/~niiac/, 1996) in two published reports, encourages leadership within United States communities "to move rapidly to provide all individuals the opportunity to access and [to] use…the Information Superhighway" (KickStart Initiative, 1996, p. 5). KickStart Initiative provides an extensive list of tlecommunications community resources in print and online. Native Networking (Casey, Ross, and Warren, 1999) provides an updated listing of AI/AN telecommunications resources.
The term "information highway" refers to the components of communication transmissions involving physical, electronic, digital, wirreless, satellite, and human resources in the creation, management, and flow of information (A Nation of Opportunity, 1996, p. 13). More specifically, 'information highway' is also referred to as telecommunications, information technologies, or communication technologies including: computer networking; videoconferencing; computers and software; telefacsimile; broadcast radio; cable TV; digital, satellite, cellular, microwave or wireless capabilities (U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment, 1995, p. 2; A Nation of Opportunity, 1996, p. 13; Kicksart Initiative, 1996, p. 7).
One of the key issues identified in A Nation of Opportunity (1996) report is universal access. Historically, universal service, based on the Communications Act of 1934, meant POTS - plain old telephone service. With new and emerging telecommunications technologies, "the traditional concept of universal service must be redefined" and "will take on a different meaning to include the evolving array of basic communications and information services ubiquitously available" (A Nation of Opportunity, 1996, p. 31).
However, the challenge of providing all Americans with basic communication and information services remains an economic, social, and federal concern. Jensen (1999) defined the meaning of telecommunications: "telecommunications means more computer technological means, which means you serve your needs better socially, politically, culturally, and economically. And to do this you need telephone access."
Building telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas is considered cost prohibitive from an economic and business stand point (Francis Mike, personal communication, June 23, 1999; Jensen, 1999), which is the main reason these areas remain technologically underdeveloped and challenged. The recommendation for addressing disparity in the accommodation of universal access and service in A Nation of Opportunity (1996) reads: "Government should act when commercial and competitive forces are failing to achieve the goals of universal access and universal service. Government should lead by example in the use of the Information Superhighway for offering and using information services" (p. 11). The United States Department of Agriculture E-Rate Rural Utilities Service (1998) is taking action to help bridge the "digital divide". Concentrating in schools and libraries in rural areas with the lowest telephone penetration rates; lowest computer ownership rates;and lowest on-line access rates are eligible for E-Rate assistance. Telecommunications services are made available to schools and libraries at a greater discount with telecommunications service providers being reimbursed by the government for participating in the program.