Multiple Federal Programs Directly or Indirectly Provide Telecommunications Assistance

At least 28 federal programs in 15 agencies provide funding for telecommunications programs. In fiscal year 1995, the 13 telecommunications programs provided about $715.8 million for about 540 projects. Communities Identified Three Steps for Developing a Telecommunications Project

Officials in five rural communities that have obtained federal funds for telecommunications projects identified three key actions for putting telecommunications projects into place: (1) developing a basic understanding of the potential benefits of telecommunications technologies; (2) engaging in long-term planning to determine the need for, and ensure the technical and financial feasibility of, their project; and (3) building partnerships among the key players who would be needed to support and/or benefit from the project. Experts Reported That Changes in Telecommunications Programs Could Make Them More Useful to Rural Areas

Rural development experts and public officials we interviewed suggested three ways to improve federal programs providing telecommunications assistance: (1) educating rural communities on the potential benefits of telecommunications technologies, (2) building in requirements for considering telecommunications technologies in long-range planning, and (3) making the multiple federal programs easier to use. She believes that better education, training, and overall exposure to these technologies are needed by rural areas. Rural health care providers, patients, and rural communities benefit from this grant program.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed rural communities' efforts to develop advanced telecommunications technologies, focusing on: (1) federal programs that fund rural telecommunications projects; (2) lessons learned for developing such projects; and (3) whether changes to these programs are needed.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) as of December 1995, there were at least 28 programs that provided discretionary development funds for rural telecommunications projects; (2) 13 designated programs provided about $715.8 million for 540 telecommunications projects; (3) program users and rural development experts believe that rural communities need a basic understanding of telecommunications technologies and their potential benefits, strategic plans to determine the technical and financial feasibility of telecommunications development, and partnerships among key players involved in constructing, financing, and using telecommunications networks; (4) rural development experts and public officials believe that telecommunications programs could be improved by educating rural communities on the potential benefits of telecommunications technologies, building in requirements for considering telecommunications technologies in long-range planning, and making multiple federal programs easier to use; (5) most federal agencies lack the resources required for educational outreach programs; and (6) 1996 legislation emphasizes the need for rural communities to include telecommunications projects in their long-term planning and coordination of multiple federal programs.