*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 28570* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 For Immediate Release: News Media Contact: June 17, 2003 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418- 0511 e- mail: rosemary. kimball@ fcc. gov FCC TO HOST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES RENO REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE JULY 17- 18, 2003, IN RENO, NEVADA Program Will Offer Important Opportunity for Telecommunications Training and Discussions Between Tribal Representatives and FCC Officials Washington, DC – As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Indian Telecommunications Initiatives (ITI) program, and in cooperation with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, the FCC will host an ITI Regional Workshop and Roundtable in Reno, Nevada, July 17 and 18. The one and a half day workshop will be held at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in downtown Reno, and is free of charge to registrants. The workshop is designed to increase the understanding of essential telecommunications issues and policies affecting Indian Country and provide further opportunities for government- to- government dialogue on telecommunications issues of importance to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. “The ITI Reno Regional Workshop and Roundtable will provide excellent opportunities for tribal leaders and representatives, industry participants, and the FCC, to meet, share information and discuss essential telecommunications development issues and strategies in Indian Country,” said K. Dane Snowden, Chief of the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. “All the FCC’s ITI efforts are undertaken with the understanding that clear and open lines of intergovernmental communication and a strong trust relationship between the tribes and the FCC are important keys to viable and lasting telecommunications solutions in Indian Country.” The July 17 Workshop portion of the program will address telecommunications issues facing Indian Country with the goal of providing clear, practical information that tribal leaders and decision- makers can use to promote their own economic goals and telecommunications development agendas for their communities. Regional- specific issues will be examined. The interactive, solution- oriented sessions will target how fundamental telecom infrastructure information, different technologies, regulatory rules, and government programs can be used to benefit tribal communities. 1 On the morning of July 18, the FCC will host a Roundtable with tribal leaders, representatives and organizations-- building upon the presentations and discussions of the Workshop in the context of the trust relationship shared by the FCC and the tribes. In this consultative meeting, the FCC seeks to promote and encourage increased substantive government- to- government dialogue to further working relationships with tribal governments, tribal organizations, and the telecommunications industry. Access to 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’s ITI is comprehensive program that seeks to promote understanding, cooperation and trust among American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and tribal organizations; the FCC and other governmental agencies; and the telecommunications industry. The ITI program is designed to build partnerships to target specific concerns, identify potential solutions, and bring affordable, quality telecommunications services to Indian Country. Specifically, ITI seeks to increase the telephone penetration rate among tribal communities; facilitate the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure in Indian Country necessary to provide telecommunications services; and inform tribes and tribal consumers about financial support available through federal government programs, including Universal Service Fund programs. To register for the FCC’s ITI Reno Regional Workshop and Roundtable, or to obtain additional information, please call 202- 418- 2513, or fax 202- 418- 1414, or e- mail itireno@ fcc. gov. Additional Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau contacts: Geoffrey Blackwell, FCC Intergovernmental Affairs, at 202- 418- 8192, geoffrey. blackwell@ fcc. gov; and Dan Rumelt, FCC Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division at 202- 418- 7512, dan. rumelt@ fcc. gov. For information on this and other topics of interest to tribes, visit the FCC’s Tribal Initiatives Web site at www. fcc. gov/ indians. For information on this and other topics of interest to consumers, visit our Web site at www. fcc. gov/ cgb To receive information on this and other FCC consumer topics through the Commission’s electronic subscriber service, click on www. fcc. gov/ cgb/ emailservice. html. - FCC - 2