The information technology department is established with the responsibility for all wide area network services planning, selection, and implementation for all state agencies, including institutions under the control of the board of higher education, counties, cities, and school districts in this state. With respect to a county, city, or school district, wide area network services are those services necessary to transmit voice, data, or video outside the county, city, or school district. In exercising its powers and duties, the department is responsible for computer support services, host software development, statewide communications services, standards for providing information to other state agencies and the public through the internet, technology planning, process redesign, and quality assurance. The department may not exercise its powers and duties in a manner that competes or otherwise interferes with the provision of telecommunications service to a private, charitable, or nonprofit entity by a privately or cooperatively owned telecommunications company.