Broadband in Indian Country Teleconference for Press on 8/26 in New York City

NEW YORK, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- A teleconference will be hosted by the Native American Broadband Association (http://www.nativeamericanbroadband.org) (NABA) and Intersections International (http://www.intersectionsinternational.org) (II) at noon on Thursday, August 26th at II's offices at 274 Fifth Avenue.

"The meeting comes at a critical time for broadband throughout America, and particularly in Indian Country," said Harold Pruner, Chairman of NABA. "The FCC's National Broadband Plan made the delivery of broadband to Indian Country a priority, and some tribes have received grants from the $7.2 billion broadband stimulus in the ARRA," he said.

The National Broadband Plan and the Recovery Act's broadband stimulus program promises to bring unprecedented benefits to Indian Country. In rural areas of Indian Country, broadband is a lifeline that provides jobs, education, cultural outreach, and even, through telemedicine, dramatic improvements in health. Recognizing that less than 10% of residents on tribal lands have access to broadband, the FCC proposed in the NBP a variety ways to help bring broadband to Indian Country.

Indian Country is not relying on government funds alone. Private businesses and foundations have participated in Indian Country grant applications and stand ready to assist in building critical infrastructure. Some of those businesses are represented at this event by the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (http://www.wispa.org) (WISPA) and the E-Rate Service Providers Association (http://www.espaconnects.org) (ESPA).

NABA thanks II for its assistance in this endeavor. This event builds on last year's healing ceremony between Delaware Indians and the Collegiate Church (http://www.intersectionsinternational.org/2009/12/07/Healing) and II's grants to NABA will help bring broadband to tribes.

The press conference will cover the grants from the USDA's Rural Utility Service, the Department of Commerce's NTIA, and the FCC's National Broadband Plan. Robert Chase of II and Harold Pruner of NABA will also speak.

The press is invited to attend by teleconference or in person. The phone number and pass code will be sent to members of the press and others who RSVP to Harold Pruner, chairman of NABA, at [email protected].

About NABA: The Native American Broadband Association was created to help tribes get broadband services. It has worked with tribes, RUS, NTIA, tribal associations and foundations to help get broadband services to Native American tribes, the most underserved group in America. NABA is a Delaware Nation LLC.

About II: Intersections International is a New York-based global initiative dedicated to promoting justice, reconciliation and peace across lines of faith, culture, ideology, race, class, national borders and other boundaries that divide humanity. Founded in 2007, Intersections is an effort of the Collegiate Churches of New York, the oldest corporation in North America created in 1628.

SOURCE Native American Broadband Association