TELECOMMUNICATIONS: A NEW VIRGINIA INITIATIVE

A program evaluation and organization study of a major state government function is a complex activity. This study was conducted over 15 calendar months and utilized 35 man months of staff effort. In addition, many hours of assistance was provided by over 250 government and private agency experts.

The Commonwealth's interests in telecommunications are wide-ranging and comprehensive. Telecommunications technologies are a part of the day-today activity of all of state government programs and services. From the ubiquitous telephone - a part of the background of every state office, shop, or laboratory - to sophisticated in-car radio systems, to television production studios or experimental two-way long distance teaching experimental programs, telecommunications has become part of the warp and woof of state government in Virginia. The report on Telecommunications: A New Virginia Initiative chronicles, at least in part, the Commonwealth's experiences in applying telecommunications technologies to its many and varied programs and service delivery systems. This final Report of the Telecommunications Study Commission deals primarily with the decade of the 1970's.

The Telecommunications Study Commission, an eleven-member legislative study commission, was established pursuant to law on April 8, 1978. Its mandate was to:

1. Evaluate the use and effectiveness of public telecommunications services in the Commonwealth;

2. Evaluate the existing State mechanism for allocating funds for public telecommunications facilities and services and for administering the Master Plan for Telecommunications with respect to public telecommunications facilities and services:

3. Make recommendations as to the most cost effective use of public telecommunications in the Commonwealth:

4. Make recommendations as to the proper location for the administration of State programs related to public telecommunications and for the continued evaluation of State programs related to public telecommunications: and

5. Advise the Virginia Public Telecommunications Council as to any revisions or modifications of the Master Plan for Telecommunications as they may relate to telecommunications and on other matters which may relate to the use of telecommunications facilities, services or programs in the Commonwealth.

This five-part charge describes a comprehensive program evaluation of the effectiveness of a major portion of the State's overall information transfer and service delivery commitments. The focus of the study and the findings uncovered through our searches confirm this mandate and accentuate the recommendations contained herein.

Telecommunications technology has evolved rapidly in the past few years. Spurred by the national space program nationally and evolving from previous telephone, television, computer data transmission and radio technologies, we are, today, presented with a communications potential of tremendous magnitude for not only moving information (voice, video and digital signals) but of revolutionizing the conduct of the State's business. Indeed, it is in this area of facilitating the delivery of important programs and services that telecommunications holds its greatest promise.

The findings of the Telecommunications Study Commission center on telecommunications policy and management. While specific recommendations for future action are presented, they are couched in terms of a policy stance the Commonwealth might take and of an overall management approach useful to proper integration of these technologies into the routine operations of government management.

Thirty-six recommendations are contained in this Final Report. Each one is intended to direct attention to a needed shift in focus or change in relationships among state officials. All are intended to center more on effective use of telecommunications systems and to sharpen the management potential of those charged with oversight of telecommunications components.

Conclusions

This report and the Working Papers upon which it is based describe many findings about telecommunications in Virginia. Among these findings the following are felt to be of prime significance:

1. Existing telecommunications systems in the Commonwealth are generally individual and autonomous in nature. There is little comprehensive statewide management, coordination or oversight.

2. There are rapidly increasing needs for new and additional telecommunications services in State agencies and institutions.

3. The technology and uses of telecommunications are changing, especially in the computer area. The technologies of voice and data transmission are merging and alternatives to direct radio or television broadcasting are now available.

4. Constraints are imposed upon the development of total Telecommunications systems due to the lack of a Statewide perspective on the system management and planning. Maximum efficiencies and economies are not being realized as a result.

5. Current staff and expertise levels in VPTC are inadequate to perform either legislated or operational needs mandates.

6. Some use is being made of telecommunications technologies to assist agencies/institutions to provide governmental services; more use for this purpose is indicated.

7. The variety and complexity of technologies argue for a specific program of research and demonstration of specific application and a concerted program of promotion of cost beneficial applications beyond that attempted in the past.

8. Continuous comprehensive planning is needed to insure that changes are fully considered by agencies and institutions.

9. The Virginia Public Telecommunications Council's special focus on public television has helped insure the development, operation, and growth of that medium. This focus on public television has precluded attention to other major telecommunications systems.

10. Expenditures for all telecommunications uses exceed $50 million annually. Some evidence exists that savings are potentially available through statewide coordination and planning.

Virginia is still in the early stages of developing interagency telecommunications planning and management. The prospects for more effective cost-beneficial service delivery programs through the full use of telecommunications is good, but, action should be taken to:

1. Establish adequate statewide telecommunications management and coordination.

2. Reorganize to:

a. make public broadcast oversight the specific concern of a citizen body,

b. place responsibility specifically for telecommunications planning and policy, and

c. assign staff to manage and coordinate telecommunications systems, networks, equipment specifications, and operational efficiencies.

3. Provide a Statewide telecommunications plan on a total system basis coordinating all government requirements and update on a continuing basis.