[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 11]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1700.28]

[Page 21]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1700--GENERAL INFORMATION--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart B--Agency Organization and Functions
 
Sec. 1700.28  Telecommunications Program.

    RUS and RTB, through the Telecommunications Program, make loans and 
loan guarantees to furnish and improve telecommunications service in 
rural areas.
    (a) The Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications Program, directs 
and coordinates the rural telecommunications programs, including the 
distance learning and telemedicine program, and in conjunction with the 
Administrator and Deputy Administrator, and others, the planning and 
formulating of programs and activities of the agency, and performs other 
activities as the Administrator may prescribe from time to time.
    (b) Primary point of contact with borrowers.Area offices are the 
primary points of contact between RUS and all telecommunications program 
borrowers. Each office administers the rural telecommunications program 
for its assigned geographical area with assistance of field 
representatives located in areas assigned to them.
    (c) Staff offices.The Telecommunications Staff Division is 
responsible for engineering aspects of design, construction, and 
technical operation and maintenance of rural telecommunications systems 
and facilities, including the activities of Technical Standards 
Committees ``A'' and ``B'', Telecommunications, which determine whether 
engineering specifications, drawings, material, and equipment are 
acceptable for use in RUS financed telecommunications systems. The 
Advanced Telecommunications Services office prepares analyses of loan 
making activities and the business and regulatory environment of RUS 
borrowers and recommends policies and procedures.

[63 FR 16085, Apr. 2, 1998; 63 FR 18307, Apr. 15, 1998]