Indian Telecom Initiatives (ITI)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the nation’s telecommunications services, including traditional telephone service, wireless and satellite telecommunications services, cable services, television broadcast, and radio services. The FCC seeks to ensure all Americans, including those living in tribal communities, have access to affordable, quality telecommunications services.

To achieve this goal, the FCC designed the Indian Telecommunications Initiatives (ITI), a comprehensive FCC program that seeks to promote understanding, cooperation, and trust among:

• American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages,

• Tribal Organizations, the FCC and other government agencies, and

• the telecommunications industry.

Telecom Related Goals

• Increase the telephone penetration rate - the number of people who have telecommunications services - among American Indian tribes and Alaska Native communities.

• Increase telecommunications infrastructure - the installation of telecommunications equipment - necessary to provide telecommunications services.

• Inform consumers in Indian Country about financial support available through federal government programs, including Universal Service discounts.

ITI Elements
Interactive Regional Workshops
The FCC offers interactive regional workshops to provide “how to” information about telecommunications services and telecommunications infrastructure development. Workshop participants include tribal, federal agency, and communications industry representatives. The workshops address telecommunications issues facing Indian Country with the goal of providing clear, practical information tribes can use to gain access to critical telecommunications services. Regional workshops acknowledge different tribes are at different stages of economic development, and their experiences with telecommunications deployment vary.

FCC Outreach
Senior FCC officials and staff attend and participate in conferences, meetings, and other events sponsored by American Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and others interested in Indian Country issues. These outreach activities provide the FCC with an opportunity to establish beneficial relationships with tribal governments, organizations and their members, and to listen and learn about the telecommunications needs of these constituencies. They also provide an opportunity for the FCC to distribute information about rules and policies affecting telecommunications services in Indian Country.

One-On-One Meetings
FCC staff are available to meet with individual tribes to address their unique telecommunications issues. Meetings provide a forum for an individual tribe to explore FCC rules and programs affecting the provision of telecommunications services to its members.

Educational Materials
The FCC distributes educational materials to tribes and tribal organizations about issues of interest, including Universal Service Low-Income programs like enhanced Lifeline and Link-Up.

The FCC mails information to more than 560 federally recognized tribes and 20 tribal associations.

Other Programs
In consultation with tribal governments and tribal organizations, the FCC continues to analyze and explore other initiatives that will assist it in fulfilling ITI goals and objectives.

Improving Quality of Life
Access to modern telecommunications services is critical to the successful development of all communities. Among other benefits, telecommunications access enhances:

• Educational and learning opportunities through access to the Internet;

• Employment and business opportunities;

• Public safety services, including access to emergency services and long distance medical services; and

• Access to government services.

The FCC is committed to facilitating increased access to telecommunications in Indian Country. Through ITI, the FCC fosters partnerships to target specific concerns, identify potential solutions, and bring affordable, quality telecommunications services to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native Village Communities.

Previous Indian Telecommunications Initiatives

FCC AND NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS TO HOST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM, ON JULY 28-29, 2005
Document released on 06/10/2005
DA-05-1651A1.doc | DA-05-1651A1.pdf | DA-05-1651A1.txt

FCC AND AFFILIATED TRIBES OF NORTHWEST INDIANS TO HOST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE PLANNING SESSION NOVEMBER 9-10, 2004, ON THE COEUR D' ALENE RESERVATION
Erratum to Public Notice, DA 04-3059 Released September 29, 2004
Document released on 10/05/2004
DOC-252886A1.doc | DOC-252886A1.pdf | DOC-252886A1.txt

FCC AND AFFILIATED TRIBES OF NORTHWEST INDIANS TO HOST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE PLANNING SESSION NOVEMBER 9-10, 2004, ON THE COEUR D' ALENE RESERVATION
Document released on 09/29/2004
DA-04-3059A1.doc | DA-04-3059A1.pdf | DA-04-3059A1.txt | Erratum(DOC-252886A1.doc)

FCC TO HOLD SECOND INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE IN RAPID CITY, SD, MAY 26 AND 27
Document released on 05/21/2004
DOC-247473A1.doc | DOC-247473A1.pdf | DOC-247473A1.txt

FCC TO HOST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES RAPID CITY REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE
MAY 26-27, 2004 IN RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Document released on 04/08/2004
DA-04-979A1.doc | DA-04-979A1.pdf | DA-04-979A1.txt

COMMISSION TO PARTICIPATE IN TRIBAL MEETINGS AS PART OF INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES PROGRAM
CGB to participate in meetings with Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Document released on 09/16/2003
DOC-238948A1.doc | DOC-238948A1.pdf | DOC-238948A1.txt

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND "NUTS AND BOLTS" INFORMATION SESSIONS HIGHLIGHT LAST WEEK'S INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES MEETINGS IN RENO, NV
Document released on 07/24/2003
DOC-236924A1.doc | DOC-236924A1.pdf | DOC-236924A1.txt

AGENDA RELEASED FOR FCC'S INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE RENO REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE
To be held July 17-18
Document released on 07/11/2003
DOC-236480A1.doc | DOC-236480A2.doc | DOC-236480A1.pdf | DOC-236480A2.pdf
DOC-236480A1.txt | DOC-236480A2.txt

FCC TO HOST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES RENO REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE July 17-18, 2003 in Reno, NV
Document released on 06/17/2003
DOC-235445A1.doc | DOC-235445A1.pdf | DOC-235445A1.txt

FCC TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL SUMMIT ON EMERGING TRIBAL ECONOMIES, SEPTEMBER 19TH 2002, IN PHOENIX TELECOM DAY IS IMPORTANT PART OF FCC'S INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES PROGRAM
Document released on 08/08/2002
DOC-225213A1.doc | DOC-225213A1.pdf | DOC-225213A1.txt

FCC ANNOUNCES INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE
Document released on 04/30/2002
DOC-222021A1.doc | DOC-222021A1.pdf | DOC-222021A1.txt