104 STAT. 3774 PUBLIC LAW 101-624—NOV. 28, 1990 demodulators), computer hardware and software, programs or termineds, or related devices, used to process and exchange data through a telecommunications system in which signals are generated, modified, or prepared for transmission, or received, via telecommunications terminal equipment or via telecommunications transmission. (3) The term "delivery" means the transmission and reception of programs by facilities that transmit, receive, or carry data between telecommunications terminal equipment at each end of a telecommunications circuit or path. (4) The term "facilities" includes microwave antennae, fiberoptic cables and repeaters, coaxial cables, communications satellite ground station complexes, copper cable electronic equipment associated with telecommunications transmission, and similar items as defined by the Secretary. (5) The term "satellite ground station complex" includes transmitters, receivers, and communications antennae at the Earth station site together with the interconnecting terrestrial transmission facilities (including cables, line, or microwave facilities) and modulating and demodulating equipment necessary for processing traffic received from the terrestrial distribution system prior to transmission via satellite and the traffic received from the satellite prior to tremsfer to terrestrial distribution systems. (d) AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.—(1) The Secretary shall establish a program, to be administered by the Assistant Secretary for Science and Bklucation, under which financial and technical assistance may be provided to eligible institutions that participate in a network that distributes programs consistent with the objectives described in subsection (b). (2) The Secretary may approve all or part of any application submitted by an eligible institution if the proposed activity will contribute, directly or indirectly, to the purpose and objectives of the program established under this section. (3) As provided in subsection (f), applications for financial assistance may include requests to fund program production or program delivery, or both. (e) PRIORITY.— The Secretary, in considering applications for assistance under this program, shall establish procedures to ensure a broad dissemination of programming, giving a preference to applications that— (1) are submitted by institutions affiliated with an established agricultural telecommunications network that distributes programs to a wide geographical area; or (2) demonstrate the need for such assistance, taking into consideration the relative needs of all applicants and the financial ability of the applicants to otherwise secure or create the telecommunications system. (f) APPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM PRODUCTION AND DEUVERY. —(1) The Secretary shall consider applications for financial assistance for the production and delivery of programs or cooperative extension, academic instruction in agriculture, agricultural research, and other topics consistent with the objectives described in subsection (b). (2) Eligible institutions shall request assistance by submitting applications to the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education. Applications shall include—
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