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Volume 1, Issue 2 Fall 2002 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Connector 

From the Chief: Fall Focus: 

Indian Telecommunications Initiatives..................................2

National Summit on Emerging Tribal Economies....................4 

Hot Topics: CGB Launches 

New Indian Telecommunications Initiative Program (ITI)..........5

I Get By with a Little Help From... 

Assistive Technologies.....................................................8

CGB Reaching Out..........................................................9

Consumer Tips - Eliminating Interference............................10 

The FCC Military Campaign - Calling Home..........................11 

Contact Us.....................................................................12

The opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the 

Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau or the Federal Communications Commission, its Chairman or Commissioners, Bureaus, or other Commission staff members. This document has been prepared from various sources 

and it is believed that the information provided is reliable. However, the CGB staff makes no representation as to its 

accuracy or completeness. This document is for FCC informational and public release purposes only. 

Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
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 Fall Focus 

Indian Telecommunications Initiatives 

 by K. Dane Snowden, Chief, CGB

 This summer’s inaugural issue of the Connector introduced the new Consumer & 

Governmental Affairs Bureau to the rest of the Commission and underscored our 

mission. In this and subsequent issues, we will highlight various initiatives - both 

policy and outreach - the bureau is undertaking to address consumer issues and 

to reach out to the community - especially beyond the Beltway. In addition, we 

provide some helpful and interesting telecommunications “tidbits” for consumers. 

 This edition of the Connector highlights the Indian Telecommunications Initiatives 

(ITI) (www.fcc.gov/indians), a program that encompasses all of our outreach efforts in Indian Country. ITI includes: (1) hosting educational workshops in Indian 

Country; (2) participating in conferences and events that address American Indian 

telecom issues; (3) meeting with tribal representatives; and (4) the distribution of 

educational materials through tribes and tribal organizations. Much of the bureau’s work this year will target the establishment and development of our workshops, the first of which was held on September 19, 2002, in connection with the 

National Summit for Emerging Tribal Economies, in Phoenix, AZ. 

 ITI is the Commission’s vehicle for conveying the necessary information to increase access to basic telecommunications services, thereby improving the quality of life in Native American communities. Indian Country represents a historically 

underserved community in the United States with respect to access to telecommunications services. We want to change that, pure and simple, and ITI will help 

provide the means. 

 As a first step, we want to promote telecommunications subscribership in Indian 

Country. To accomplish this, we are conducting targeted outreach about support 

available through Universal Service low-income programs particularly directed to 

those living on tribal lands. In our visits with tribal leaders and representatives, we 

discuss the FCC’s efforts to promote our “Get Connected: Afford-A-Phone” program (www.fcc.gov/cgb/getconnected). 

 Just as important, we also provide information that will help increase telecommunications infrastructure deployment within American Indian tribal communities and 

Alaska Native villages. ITI workshops will address various aspects of telecommunications from wireless to wireline services, satellite communications, and the possibilities of forming tribally-owned telecommunications companies. All of our ITI 

activities recognize that different tribes are at different stages of economic development and levels of infrastructure. 
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 CGB

 Accomplishing these goals will require collaboration. Essential to ITI is promoting a 

better understanding among the tribes, government agencies, and industry. These 

collaborative efforts will identify the unique challenges facing Indian Country and 

guide the partners in exploring basic telecommunications access solutions. The 

more interaction and dialogue there is among the tribes, the FCC, partner agencies, 

and industry representatives, the better the chances are for creating successful partnerships. 

 The FCC is committed to bringing to the residents of Indian Country basic telecommunications access that is functionally equivalent to services enjoyed in other parts 

of the country. We have witnessed the phenomenal impact telecommunication access has had on successful community development, from improved educational 

standing to increased employment opportunities to the assurance that access to 

emergency and long-distance medical services in Indian Country is available. 

 

 For more information about 

 “Indian Telecom Initiatives ”, 

 visit our Web site at:

 www.fcc.gov/indians
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National Summit on Emerging Tribal Economics 

 On September 19 the FCC participated in the National Summit 

on Emerging Tribal Economies, a national conference aimed at 

spurring business and job opportunities on American Indian and 

Alaska Native tribal lands, or “Indian Country.” 

 The National Summit was held September 16-19 in Phoenix, 

AZ, and was co-sponsored by American Indian tribes, corporate 

America, and many federal agencies, including the Federal 

Communications Commission and the host agency, the Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). 

 FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell delivered the keynote address 

on September 19, the day the National Summit devoted to federal 

agency seminars and workshops, and FCC Commissioner Michael Copps addressed seminar participants. 

 The National Summit’s goals are to create 100,000 jobs in Indian Country by 2008 and 

establish sustainable, market-driven tribal economies by 2020. The National Summit 

showcased more than 100 successful Indian businesses. National Summit objectives 

include creating a catalogue of tribal products and services, as well as initiating alliances 

among federal agencies, American Indian tribes, and corporate America that will result in 

more business opportunities and jobs on tribal lands. Conference attendees included 

tribal leaders from across the nation, federal government officials, nationally prominent 

corporations, and successful Native American businesses entrepreneurs. 

 A key component to economic development plans of tribes throughout the nation is the 

deployment of telecommunication infrastructure on their tribal lands, often where little or 

none currently exists. 

 The FCC’s program at the National Summit focused on strategies for successfully deploying telecommunications infrastructure to ensure sustained economic growth, public 

safety and welfare, educational opportunities, and successful government services. It 

highlighted telecommunication applications, choices, costs, regulatory implications, and 

consumer rights issues, as well as key federal government financial support programs. 

These issues were presented and discussed in a “nuts and bolts” fashion, through a series of panel presentations featuring tribal, industry and federal telecommunications experts. 

 

 FCC Chairman 

 Michael K. Powell 
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 Building upon the past successes of FCC tribal outreach, in 

late April the FCC announced the Indian Telecommunications 

Initiatives (ITI) program, aimed at fostering an environment for 

developing partnerships among American Indian tribes, federal 

agencies, and the communications industry. ITI’s goal is to increase telecommunications access in American Indian tribal and 

Alaska Native village communities. 

 Since 2000, one of the Commission’s key outreach efforts in 

tribal lands nationwide, commonly called “Indian Country,” is hosting educational conferences on increasing access to telecommunications services. These efforts included the highly successful Indian Telecom Training Initiative (ITTI) conferences of 2000 and 2001. The FCC is 

committed to maintaining the momentum started during 

these conferences and to advancing the goal of ITTI to improve access to basic telecom services for the residents of 

Indian Country. 

 With ITI, the FCC is expanding its focus from annual conference events to a series of interactive workshops among 

tribes, government agencies and the telecommunications 

industry to address telecom deployment and subscribership 

issues facing Indian Country. 

 Through ITI, the FCC hopes to promote increased access to 

telecom services, improved access to emergency and long-distance medical services, and enhanced education and employment opportunities for residents of tribal lands. ITI explores the 

potential for deploying various technologies, including wireless, wireline, satellite, and cable 

services to Indian Country. 

 In recent congressional testimony, CGB Bureau Chief K. 

Dane Snowden emphasized that ITI outreach efforts acknowledge “that different tribes are in different stages of economic 

development, particularly where telecommunications access is 

concerned.” He added that the FCC “recognizes that different 

tribes face different impediments to telecommunications deployment,” and the goals of ITI will be pursued “in a manner 

that may permit the Commission to target those communities 

where the need is most pronounced.” 

 

 Hot Topics 

CGB Launches 

New Indian Telecommunications Initiatives 

Closing ceremony at the 

National Summit 

Commissioner Michael J. Copps 

with Patricia Chew of CGB 

and Frank Stillwell of WTB 

at the Exhibit Booth 

CGB Bureau Chief, 

K. Dane Snowden with 

WTB’s Frank Stillwell 
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 In addition to targeted regional meetings with tribes, 

tribal representatives meet with FCC staff from time to 

time to obtain information about our various telecommunications programs. 

 CGB helps to coordinate these meetings between 

tribes and Commission staff to provide a forum for individual tribes to explore the various tools and resources available to them, consistent with the government-togovernment relationship acknowledged in the Commission’s 

Statement of Policy on Establishing a Government to Government Relationship with Indian Tribes. 

 As part of ITI outreach, on July 31, Snowden and CGB Associate Bureau Chief for Intergovernmental Affairs Kris Monteith visited the Chehalis Indian Community of the Chehalis Tribe in Washington state. After a town hall presentation by Snowden on ITI objectives and related FCC and federal government telecommunications deployment programs, they met with Chehalis tribal officials, representatives of regional tribal organizations, and Washington state officials. They discussed issues ranging from individual 

tribal consumer concerns to state-wide outreach on basic low income telephone service 

programs. 

 Another ITI event was the Commission’s participation in September’s National Summit 

on Emerging Tribal Economies, held from September 16 to19, in Phoenix, AZ. At the 

Summit, the FCC provided a full day presentation on on telecom issues in Indian Country which was highlighted by a keynote speech by Chairman Michael K. Powell. 

 For more information on this meeting, please see the related article in this issue of the 

Connector on page 4. For more information on ITI, please visit the FCC’s ITI Web site 

at www.fcc.gov/indians.

Hot Topics 

CGB Bureau Chief 

K. Dane Snowden 

CGB’s Janice Wise and 

Patricia Chew at the 

FCC’s Exhibit Booth 
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 More than 1,000 people attended the 

National Summit and there were more 

than 300 exhibit hall booths. The conference was hosted by Secretary of Interior Gale Norton and chaired by Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Neal 

McCaleb, a member of the Chickasaw 

Nation. The day’s events began with 

opening remarks by CGB Bureau Chief 

K. Dane Snowden. CGB Associate Bureau Chief Kris Monteith and Attorney 

Advisor and Liaison to Tribal Governments Geoffrey Blackwell moderated 

panels. 

 In addition to representatives of the 

CGB Office of the Bureau Chief and 

Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division, the FCC sent representatives from 

the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Wireline Competition Bureau 

to inform conference attendees about 

universal service programs, spectrum 

auctions, tribal lands bidding credits, infrastructure siting concerns, and telecommunications technology deployment 

issues. Additionally, the CGB staffed a 

booth and provided information on a variety of issues related to telecom infrastructure deployment in Indian Country. 

 

 For more information about the 

 National Summit, visit 

 www.lakotamal.com/ 

 nationalsummit/

 National Summit cont.

 Geoff Blackwell 

is an Attorney Advisor in CGB and 

Liaison to Tribal 

Governments. 

Geoff provides 

counsel to the 

Consumer Affairs 

and Outreach Division and works on outreach to American 

Indian and Alaska Native communities on 

telecommunications deployment issues 

and all aspects of the FCC. 

 Before coming to the FCC, Geoff worked 

in the litigation department of Hale and 

Dorr, LLP, of Boston, MA, while his wife, 

Beth, completed her doctoral degree in 

Biostatistics at the Harvard School of 

Public Health. Earlier, Geoff was in private practice assisting tribes in developing 

their legal codes and governmental systems. 

 Born in Fort Defiance, AZ, and raised in 

New Mexico and Oklahoma, he graduated 

with an A.B. in Government from Dartmouth College in 1991, and a J.D. from 

the University of Virginia School of Law in 

1994. 

 Geoff comes from a family with a commitment to public service. Both his parents have long histories of being active in 

Indian Affairs. 

 Geoff is an enrolled member of the 

Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, 

and is also of Omaha, Choctaw, and 

Chickasaw descent. Geoff, Beth and their 

newborn daughter, Megan Elizabeth, live 

in Rockville, MD. 

 

Geoffrey Blackwell 
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I Get By with a Little Help 

From... 

Assistive Technologies 

By Greg Hlibok, Attorney Advisor, CGB 

 Upon entering my office on the first day at 

the FCC, I noticed that the computer was not 

facing the door. I instinctively moved the computer to the right spot so that the door is visible 

when I use the computer. Because I am deaf, 

I am quite observant of my surroundings. 

 My day is not very different from a typical 

FCC employee’s day – just a few simple modifications. Each morning the “blinking sun” 

awakens me as the lamp that is plugged into 

the alarm clock blinks at the appropriate time. 

I say “good morning” in sign language to my 

wife and son and watch the weather report on 

captioned TV. Then, while I am on the road to 

the train station, I check my text pager for 

messages. 

 When I get to work, I check my e-mails and 

schedule planner and look for messages on 

my TTY answering machine. Next, I discuss 

with Traci Randolph, my sign language interpreter, the plans for the day to see where her 

services may be required for any meetings. 

 Throughout the day I rely heavily on e-mails 

for correspondence. Sometimes I switch to 

the relay service Web site to make Internetbased relay calls. 

 Assistive technologies definitely make my 

days productive and allow me to participate 

fully both on and off the job. 

Hot Programs CGB 

 Greg Hlibok has been an attorney advisor in CGB’s Disability Rights Office since 

June 2001. He concentrates mainly on 

Telecommunications Relay Service issues. 

 Greg is a native of Queens, NY. He attended Gallaudet University and Hofstra 

University Law School and is a member 

of the New York state bar. Prior to joining the Commission, Greg had been an 

attorney in private practice and a financial 

advisor at Merrill Lynch. 

 In 1988, while at Gallaudet, he was active in the Deaf President Now movement 

whose goal was not only to install a deaf 

president at the school, but also to create 

greater opportunities for deaf people. 

The movement led to the appointment of 

Gallaudet University’s first deaf president, 

I. King Jordan. As a result of this success, Greg was selected as Peter 

Jennings’s ABC Person of the Week. 

 In his spare time Greg enjoys soccer 

and volunteers with deaf organizations. 

He has formed an American Sign Language book and video section at his public library and participates in the adopt-aroad project. 

 He is married 

to Charmaine 

and has a twoyear-old son, 

Ranier. They 

are expecting an 

addition to the 

family in November. Greg Hlibok 
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Hot Programs

 CGB is continually working with groups in Washington, DC, and throughout the country and the 

world to promote its programs to benefit consumers and learn about consumers’ needs and concerns. Here are a few of the recent efforts. 

Groups Meet to Discuss Assistive Technology

 In June Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy met with representatives from the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) and members of the disability community. The 

two groups shared information on the importance of wireless communications to persons with disabilities, and the need for open dialogue between the wireless industry and the disability community. The session provided an opportunity for consumers, research and academia, and industry 

representatives to exchange ideas with each other on the impact wireless technologies have on 

persons with disabilities. As a result of this meeting, the groups now have a better understanding 

of the needs of the disability community, the challenges facing industry to meet those needs, and 

the benefits to everyone in expanding technological accessibility. 

AARP Annual Convention in San Diego

 As part of its ongoing effort to educate consumers about issues affecting their every day lives, the 

Commission participated in the AARP’s September 12-14, 2002, annual convention in San Diego, 

CA. AARP, the nation’s largest association, is a nonprofit membership organization for people 

over 50. 

 Over 10,000 seniors attended the event, many of whom stopped by the FCC’s booth where 

staffers Roger Goldblatt and Janice Wise answered questions and distributed thousands of brochures, fact sheets and alerts. Premiering at the convention was the FCC’s “Internet Café.” Using the slogan “Serving Up to Those Hungry for Answers and Thirsty for Information,” convention 

participants hooked up to a live Internet chat with Washington 

and Gettysburg staff. Serving up the answers for frequently 

asked questions ranging from TCPA, phone bill charges and cell 

phone “dead spots” were Sharon Jenkins, Gwen Upchurch and 

Mary Shaak. 

 “The often-heard ‘thanks for being here; it’s nice to see your 

agency cares about us,’ was very satisfying,” said Roger and 

Janice. “The FCC’s presence in San Diego couldn’t have been 

more appreciated.” 

Brown Bag Lunch with Commissioner Abernathy

 In August Commissioner Abernathy hosted a brown-bag lunch with members of the blind and 

low-vision community. The group discussed the FCC’s role in accessibility issues such as video 

description television programming, broadband accessibility, low-power FM radio, and industry 

compliance with FCC regulations. The group also discussed Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act which address accessibility to technology and the denial of benefits to disabled persons, and Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act which requires manufacturers and service 

providers to make their equipment and services accessible to individuals with disabilities where 

readily achievable. 

Reaching Out 

FCC Exhibit at the 2002 

AARP Annual Convention 
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CGB Reaching Out 

 Eliminating Interference 

Interference to home electronic equipment is a frustrating problem. Interference is any unwanted radio frequency signal that prevents you from watching television, listening to your 

stereo, or talking on the telephone. Interference may prevent reception altogether, may 

cause only a temporary loss of a signal, or may affect the quality of the sound or picture 

produced by your equipment. Here are some tips you can try to eliminate the problem 

yourself. 

Check your equipment: 

Many interference problems are the direct result of the design of your home electronics 

equipment. You should contact your equipment manufacturer or the dealer from whom you 

purchased the equipment for assistance. 

Simplify the problem: 

Start by disconnecting all equipment from the piece of equipment you are trying to fix. 

Then, reconnect each of these additional devices individually to determine which device 

may be reacting to an external source and causing the interference. 

Check your connections: 

Make sure all cables are properly fastened and in good condition. If you have cable television service, contact your cable company for assistance. 

Check your amplifier: 

Temporarily disconnect the amplifier and bypass it. By doing this, you allow the signal from 

the antenna to go directly to the TV or radio receiver. If the interference disappears, then 

the amplifier is causing the problem. 

Check your antenna system: 

Even though your antenna does not have moving parts, the wire and the antenna physically 

deteriorate due to the affects of time and weather. 

If after following these steps your system continues to react to the interference, contact 

your equipment manufacturer. The manufacturer or your telephone or home electronics 

equipment is the best resource to help you eliminate interference. For more information 

about “Eliminating Interference”, visit our Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/

interference. 

Consumer Tips Hot Programs
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The FCC Military Campaign Hot Programs CGB Reaching Out 

Calling Home 

 The FCC has introduced a new campaign, "Calling Home," for military service members, Department of Defense civilians, their friends and families. 

 Difficulty in accessing telecommunications services or just the high cost of calling can 

keep men and women serving away from home from keeping in touch with their friends 

and family. 

 The "Calling Home" program was launched in May 2002, during Armed Forces Appreciation Month. "Armed Forces Appreciation Month is an especially appropriate time for us 

to be thinking about the sacrifices made by members of the Services and Defense Department civilians," said K. Dane Snowden, Chief, FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. "It’s also a perfect time to think about ways we can make their lives a little 

easier," he said. 

 Check out our consumer brochure "Calling Home: What You should Know" for important information and great tips on staying in touch. The brochure is available at http://

www.fcc.gov/cgb/military/militarycallhome.html

Consumer & Governmental Affairs 

Bureau staffer Dan Rumelt (in blue shirt)

takes a break from his vacation to show 

members of the 352nd Information Operations Squadron at Hickham Air Force 

Base in Hawaii how to save money 
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 Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau 

 Management Team 

K. Dane Snowden Bureau Chief 418-1400

 

June Taylor Chief of Staff 418-1400 

Thomas Wyatt Deputy Bureau Chief 418-1400

 (Inquiries & Complaints) 

Margaret Egler Deputy Bureau Chief 418-1400

 (Policy) 

Kris Monteith Acting Deputy Bureau Chief 418-1400

 (Consumer Affairs) 

 Associate Bureau Chief

 (Intergovernmental Affairs) 

Stephen Gorey Chief 418-1400

 Systems Support Office 

Patricia Green Assistant Bureau Chief 418-1400 

 (Management) 

K. Michele Walters Chief 418-1774 

 Policy Division 

Pam Gregory Director 418-2498

 Disability Rights Office 

 

Sumita Mukhoty Director 418-7165

 Information Access 

 & Privacy Office 

Jack Forsythe Chief 418-2294 

 Consumer Inquiries 

 & Complaints Division 

Martha Contee Chief 418-0263 

 Consumer Affairs and 

 Outreach Division 

Bill Cline Chief 418-0267 

 Reference Information 

 Center 

Stacey Mesa Chief 418-0254

 Consumer Publications 

 Branch 

 Visit us on the Web 

 www.fcc.gov/cgb

 CONTACT US 

 

 

 Federal 

 Communications 

 Commission 

 Consumer & 

 Governmental Affairs Bureau

 

 445 12th Street, SW 

 Washington, DC 20554 

 

 Telephone: 

 

 1-888-CALL-FCC 

 (1-888-225-5322) voice 

 1-888-TELL-FCC 

 (1-888-835-5322) TTY 

 E-mail:

 FCCInfo@fcc.gov