PSC 161.03 Technical standards. PSC 161.04 Privacy protections. PSC 161.06 Determinations of eligibility. PSC 161.07 Provision of services. Ch. PSC 161 NoteNote: Chapter PSC 161 was created as an emergency rule effective February 27, 1998. PSC 161.01PSC 161.01 Purpose and special consideration. PSC 161.01(1)(1) Purpose. As required under s. 16.997 (1), Stats., this chapter establishes an educational telecommunications access program to provide access to data lines and video links for eligible school districts, private schools, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts, private colleges and public library boards. Under this chapter, the technology for educational achievement in Wisconsin board determines eligibility to participate in the program. The department of administration contracts with telecommunications providers under s. 16.974 (1), Stats., for the requested access. The applicant makes monthly payments to the department for each data line or video link. The board pays from the universal service fund the difference between costs under the contract and the applicant’s payments. The board may consider, as alternative access, service architecture or technology not available through the department at the time of the application. PSC 161.01(2)(2) Special consideration. The board may apply to the commission for a waiver of any requirement in this chapter for exceptional or unusual situations. Upon due investigation of the facts and circumstances involved, the commission may waive in exceptional or unusual situations any requirement in this chapter, so that the provision of access is in a manner which is lesser, greater, other or different than otherwise required in this chapter. PSC 161.01 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1998, No. 514, eff. 11-1-98; corrections in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register April 2007 No. 616. PSC 161.02PSC 161.02 Definitions. In this chapter: PSC 161.02(1)(1) “Alternative access” means a service architecture or technology not available through the department at the time of the application. PSC 161.02(2)(2) “Board” means the technology for educational achievement in Wisconsin board. PSC 161.02(3)(3) “Commission” means the public service commission. PSC 161.02(4)(4) “Cooperative educational service agency” is a service unit created under ch. 116, Stats. PSC 161.02(6)(6) “Department” means the department of administration. PSC 161.02(9)(9) “Public library board” means a board created under ch. 43, Stats. PSC 161.02(11)(11) “Technical college district” means a district organized under ch. 38, Stats. PSC 161.02(12)(12) “Universal service fund” means the trust fund established under s. 25.95, Stats. PSC 161.02(13)(13) “Video link” means a 2–way interactive video circuit and associated services. PSC 161.02 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1998, No. 514, eff. 11-1-98; corrections in (5) and (7) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register April 2007 No. 616.