Pueblo of Jemez and Mescalero Apache Telecom Inc. join forces to establish a new Tribal Telecom
(Jemez Pueblo, NM) – At a recent Pueblo of Jemez Tribal Council meeting a resolution was passed authorizing Mescalero Apache Telecom Inc. (“MATI”) as the sole telecommunications provider for the Pueblo of Jemez. The Tribal Council's action was taken in order to improve basic telephone service on the Pueblo of Jemez and to obtain the benefits of an advanced state of the art telecommunications system for its members. The Tribal Council invited MATI to become the Pueblo's sole telecommunication provider because of MATI's proven success on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.
MATI plans to build out and complete a new network design within the Pueblo of Jemez reservation boundaries, to build a state of the art telecommunications system that will provide advanced telecommunications services to the reservation, and to improve customer services by establishing a local Business office.
In order to support the provision of these services, the Pueblo of Jemez has granted MATI full authority to negotiate with Valor Telecom, the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier, to purchase all assets and associated agreements for the service area located within the Pueblo of Jemez reservation boundaries.
"We welcome Mescalero Apache Telecom Inc. as our sole telecommunications provider to help provide us with advanced telecommunications services and the Pueblo of Jemez expects that Valor Telecom will respect and honor the exercise of the Pueblo's rights to self determination,” said Michael Toledo, Jr., Governor, Pueblo of Jemez.
“MATI is honored the Pueblo of Jemez Tribal Council has chosen us as their sole telecommunications provider. MATI looks forward to working with the Pueblo of Jemez to bring the same services we already provide in Mescalero. We also look forward to working with Valor in making this a smooth transition,” said Godfrey Enjady, General Manager of Mescalero Apache Telecom.
MATI is a telecommunications utility (telephone company), operating as a local exchange carrier within the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. MATI opened for service on March 27, 2001. MATI is a Mescalero Apache Tribal Corporation organized under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The Tribe owns one-hundred percent of the corporation.
Before MATI, the Mescalero Apache Reservation had limited and sparse telephone services. Approximately 40% of the reservation had plain old telephone service (POTS).
Today, a fiber ring encompasses ninety percent of the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Basic local and long distance telephone services are provided to 97% of all tribal members. DSL, an advanced telecommunication service, is available to ninety-two percent of the households and businesses on the Mescalero Indian Reservation. Beginning June 2005, MATI will begin offering voice over internet (“VOIP”) services to the Mescalero Indian Reservation, Ruidoso and surrounding areas.
In addition to residential services, MATI Business Solutions provides local and regional businesses installation and contract service agreements on PBX solutions, Key Telephone Systems, high-speed Internet, and wired/wireless LAN/WAN technology.
Providing leading edge services to MATI's own subscribers is only part of the services MATI provides. MATI is dedicated in helping other Tribes exercise their rights of self-determination by purchasing and operating tribally owned telecommunications infrastructures. MATI will host its' 4th Annual Mescalero Apache Telecom Training Conference at the new Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Mescalero, New Mexico on September 11 - 14, 2005.
