Gila River Indian Community, AZ - Bringing basic telephone services to Indian country is a challenge for residents of Native American reservations. The newly appointed Chairman Michael Powell of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has agreed to meet with the Tribal telephone companies on Friday, March 9, 2001 at the FCC in Washington DC for introductions and to discuss their concerns.

The previous FCC chairman, William Kennard, had just begun to address the problem of lack of telephone services on Indian reservations. He was part of the FCC's initiative to increase basic telephone service by establishing the Enhanced Lifeline program. This program promotes $1 (one dollar) a month telephone service for households on the Indian reservations that qualify.

Belinda Nelson, General Manager for Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. (GRTI) is one of the eight tribal owned telephone companies in the nation. She said, "we commend the FCC for the opportunity to meet with the Tribal telco representatives. We view this as only the beginning of a long and successful relationship. Telecommunications in Indian country is important because it helps level the playing field, economically and socially.

The focus of this meeting is to extend a greeting from the Tribal telcos to Chairman Powell and share information with the FCC on the needs of telephone service for Indian country. The Tribal telco's who include GRTI, San Carlos Apache, Ft. Mojave and Tohono O'odham Utility Authority hope to continue an open dialog and a personal contact with the FCC on topics such as Enhanced Lifeline ($1 a month telephone service),the Indian Telecom Training Initiative, licensing, ETC status and federal funding.

President of the National Tribal Telecommunications Association and general manager for Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Authority, JD Williams, said, "the tribal-owned telecommunications companies throughout the United States view the leadership of the new chairman of the FCC, Michael Powell, as a critical stepping stone for Indian Country. To enter the new century and be able to deal on a government-to-government basis with telecommunications issues. The FCC's commitment to the Enhanced Tribal Lifeline & Link Up Programs is a prime example that has allowed many households throughout Indian Country to hook-up to basic telephone service for the first time in their lives. We hope this commitment continues."

For more information call Jean Harmon, Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. (520)796-8816.