Ann Kirkpatrick - for Arizona

Kirkpatrick Joined With Pres. Zah To Demand Intervention Before Navajo Emergency Services Go Offline

Prescott, AZ - Former State Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Democratic candidate for Congress, was joined on July 21 by Dr. Peterson Zah, the first President of the Navajo Nation, to call on Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, to take immediate action to prevent the Navajo Nation from having its internet service cut off.

Such action, which could occur as early as tomorrow, July 22, 2008, would prevent police and emergency responders from accessing the public safety network from remote locations across the Nation, undermining the safety and security of the Navajo Nation and its residents.

"In a community where there is already so little telecommunications infrastructure available, it is just plain disrespectful to the Navajo Nation to pull the plug on the systems they actually do have in place," said Representative Kirkpatrick.

"These actions are not only undermining the gains we have made getting internet connections into some of the schools and libraries across the Nation," continued Kirkpatrick. "This is undermining the public safety."

"I call on Chairman Martin to take immediate action to prevent this situation from going one single step further," concluded Kirkpatrick.

The situation began with the Universal Service Administrative Company's (USAC) decision to withhold E-rate reimbursement funding from OnSat Network Communications, Inc, the company providing internet services to the Navajo Nation, because of a dispute over a tribal audit of OnSat. As a result of this decision, OnSat has been unable to pay its broadband service provider, SES Americom.

SES is now threatening to terminate satellite transmission by noon on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, if they do not receive payment for services rendered. While the Navajo Nation's public safety network is not part of the E-rate program, should SES follow through on its threat, the entire communications network, including the public safety network, will no longer be functional.

Former State Rep. Kirkpatrick is running to represent Arizona's First Congressional District in Congress, which includes almost of all of the Navajo Nation inside the state of Arizona. Kirkpatrick also represented much of the Nation when she served in the Arizona State Legislature.

BACKGROUND

What is the E-Rate program?

The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly known as "E-Rate," is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access. It is one of four support programs funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services.

The Schools and Libraries Program supports connectivity - the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services and/or the Internet. Funding is requested under four categories of service: telecommunications services, internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services. Eligible schools, school districts, and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium.

The full text of the letter sent to Chairman Martin is below:

July 21, 2008

The Honorable Kevin J. Martin
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

Dear Chairman Martin,

We are writing to request that you take immediate action to prevent the imminent suspension of internet services for the Navajo Nation, scheduled to occur as early as Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Such a scenario would jeopardize the safety and security of the Navajo people by effectively shutting down the Nation's entire public safety network and crippling the ability of police and emergency response units to do their jobs. This dire situation has the potential to endanger the lives of every man, woman and child of the Navajo Nation and requires your urgent intervention.

These unacceptable circumstances stem from the fact that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is withholding E-rate reimbursement funding from OnSat Network Communications, Inc., the company providing internet services to the Navajo Nation. As a result, the company has been unable to pay its broadband service provider, SES Americom. SES is now threatening to terminate satellite transmission by noon, Tuesday, July 22, 2008, if they do not receive payment for services rendered. While the Nation's public safety network is not part of the E-rate program, should SES follow through on its threat, the entire communications network, including the public safety network, will no longer be functional.

We are deeply troubled by this situation, and request that you take immediate action in order to avoid the termination of satellite transmissions for the Navajo Nation. In addition, we request that you uncover why the E-rate program funding, which has previously been approved, is being withheld by USAC. Finally, we request that you determine what steps need to be taken in order to release these funds.

Every community in America, including the Native American Nations, has the right to an operational emergency response network to ensure the safety of its residents. The potential consequences of allowing the Navajo Nation public safety network to shut down are simply too high. We ask that you respond to our request in a manner that reflects the urgency of this dangerous situation.

Sincerely,

Ann L. Kirkpatrick, Congressional Candidate
Dr. Peterson Zah, Former President of the Navajo Nation