Abstract
EDUCAUSE filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief before the Supreme Court in supporting the right of municipalities to provide telecommunication services. At issue is whether municipalities fall under the definition of "any entity" under section 253 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which prohibits state and local regulations from restricing entities from providing telecommunicaitons services. Many higher education institutions and their surrounding communities, particularly those located in remote areas, are partnering to provide affordable telecommunications services where commercial carriers refuse to deploy. Oral arguments before the Supreme Court are expected to take place in January 2004.