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43.
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On this issue, we adopt the staff analysis
and conclusions (staff recommendation, paragraphs 153–162). In other words,
we recognize that there is a well-established national policy, incorporated
in legislation, which encourages and makes it lawful for common carriers to
provide free or reduced rate interconnection services to public broadcasting
and other educational interests. These statutes make it possible for the
Commission to prescribe preferential rates for educational entities covered
by such legislation, as well as for carriers to file tariffs offering free or
reduced rates to such entities on their own initiative. While we will
entertain specific proposals by carriers or users for the prescription of
preferential rate classifications, we presently lack sufficient information
to initiate any requirement as to common carriers or to enunciate any general
statement of policy. However, we will expect non-carrier applicants, who have
offered free access to public broadcasting, to implement the proposals made
in their applications.
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