Thanks in part to the HPCC Program, this technology is already in use in many of our research labora- 

 tories where it is transforming the way research is done. Scientists and engineers can access informa- 

 tion from computer databases scattered throughout the country and use high performance computers 

 and research equipment thousands of miles away. Perhaps most importantly, researchers can collabo- 

 rate and share infomiation and tools with colleagues across the country and around the world as easily 

 as if they were in the same room. 



This same telecommunications and computing technology could soon be available to all Americans, 

 provided there is adequate public and private investment and forward-looking government policies 

 that promote its deployment and use. 



The Administration believes that the Federal government has several important roles to play in the 

 development of this infrastructure, which will be built and operated primarily by the private sector. 

 The HPCC Program is a key part of the Admniistration's strategy for the Nil. On February 22, 1993, 

 the President and the Vice President unveiled a Technology Initiative that outlined the five parts of the 

 Administration's strategy for building the National Information Infrastructure: 



1. Implement the HPCC Program. 



This Program is helping develop the basic technology needed for the Nil. 



2. Develop Nil technologies. 



Through the new Information Infrastructure Technology and Applications (IITA) component of the 

 HPCC Program, industry, universities, and Federal laboratories will collaborate to develop technolo- 

 gies needed to improve effective use of the NIL 



3. Fund networking pilot projects. 



The Federal government will provide funding for networking pilot projects through the National 

 Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce, which 

 currently plays a key role in developing Federal communications policy. NTIA will provide matching 

 grants to states, school districts, libraries, and other non-profit entities to purchase the computers and 

 network connections needed for distance learning and for linking into computer networks such as the 

 Internet. These pilot projects will demonstrate the benefits of networking in the educational and 

 library communities. In addition, to the extent that other agencies undertake networking pilot pro- 

 jects, NTIA will coordinate such projects, as appropriate. 



4. Promote dissemination of Federal information. 



Every year, the Federal government spends billions of dollars collecting and processing information 

 (e.g., economic data, environmental data, and technical information). Unfortunately, while much of 

 this information is very valuable, many potential users either do not know that it exists or do not know 

 how to access it. The Administration is committed to using new computer and networking technology 



