Committees; establishment, renewal, termination, etc.: Technological Advisory Council,

[Federal Register: April 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 66)]

[Notices]

[Page 16970]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr07ap99-73]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Technological Advisory Council

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission has established an Advisory Committee, called the Technological Advisory Council (``the Council''), to advise the Commission on advances in technology that have resulted in innovations in how telecommunications services are provided to, and are accessed by, users of those services. Many of these advances are increasing the rate of convergence among categories of services that have traditionally been viewed as distinct, such as cable television services, telephony, data services, and internet services. Regulations must be examined in light of these technology advances, and the Federal Communications Commission (``FCC'') must remain abreast of new developments in technology so that it can effectively fulfill its responsibilities under the Communications Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Council is to provide technical advice to the FCC and to make recommendations on the issues and questions presented to it by the FCC. The Council will address questions referred to it by the FCC Chairman, or by the FCC Chief Technologist or Chief Engineer. The questions referred to the Council will be directed to technical issues in the field of communications.

In order to ensure a balanced membership on the Council, the Commission will carefully select members on the basis of their technical knowledge. Members will be selected to balance the expertise and viewpoints that are necessary to address effectively the new technology issues that will be referred to the Council. Members will be recognized experts in their fields and, for private sector companies, individuals who hold technical executive positions such as Chief Technical Officer or Senior Technical Manager. The members will be chosen so that the largest possible diversity of interests, given the function to be performed, will be represented.

The formation of this Advisory Committee is in the public interest and is necessary to enable the FCC to perform its regulatory functions in light of technological advances in telecommunications. The Council's Charter has been filedin accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, as amended.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Stagg Newman at snewman@fcc.gov or 202-418-2478.

Federal Communications Commission. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-8578Filed4-6-99; 8:45 am]

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