The New York Office for Technology is co-sponsoring a training workshop, called "Negotiating Telecommunications Contracts." This workshop, also co-sponsored by the New York State Office of the Attorney General, is open to New York state and local government employees.

The workshop targets persons responsible for procurement and negotiation of agreements for long distance, network, Internet, and other telecommunications services. It will cover the basic elements of: the Communications Act of 1934, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, regulation by the FCC and state public service commissions, carrier service guides and the Universal Service Fund.

The speaker will discuss the Worldcom bankruptcy and dispel some common myths regarding telecom bankruptcies. The workshop will also cover how to procure, draft and negotiate custom service network agreements and include segments on Internet service provider terms and service level agreement terms.