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Jose Matanane, operations manager for Warm Springs Telecom, noted that there is room for expansion in the central communications office.
With a major broadband project nearing completion on the reservation, the Warm Springs community marked the grand opening of Warm Springs Telecom's central office on Friday, with a day-long celebration.
"The tribes have just now entered the 21st century," said Jeff Anspach, chief executive officer of Warm Springs Telecommunications Co., noting that the project opens the reservation for business opportunities.
"It fills me with joy and apprehension," he said, explaining that he's excited that the infrastructure is nearly in place, but apprehensive about how the completed project will be received.
"We absolutely need support from all of you," said Anspach. "We want to make it an example for the rest of Indian country to follow."
The celebration was the culmination of a decade of work to bring wireless communication to the reservation.
In August 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development announced that Warm Springs would receive over $5.4 million from funds authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Eight months later, the tribes broke ground on the project, which included upgrades to the reservation's existing wireless tower, construction of four new towers, and remodeling of a former housing factory to house Warm Springs Telecom and Warm Springs Construction Enterprise.
Located on Holliday Street in the Warm Springs Industrial Site, the newly remodeled 8,932-square-foot building now houses the Warm Springs Telecom's data communications center and office space.
"We're bringing broadband coverage to 1,000 square miles," said Jose Matanane, operations manager for Warm Springs Telecom.
Matanane, who managed another tribally-owned telecommunication company on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation before accepting the local position eight months ago, expects to serve about 900 subscribers when all the towers are up and running.
The towers, which will be shared with public safety and phone service, will improve band width, connection speeds, and download speeds for the reservation's 5,000 or so residents.
Dallas Tonsager, USDA Rural Development under secretary, addressed the crowd gathered for the Warm Springs Telecom's ribbon cutting on Jan. 27.
Starting with opening prayers at 11 a.m., the event included a welcome by Sal Sahme, chairman of the Warm Springs Telecommunications Board, luncheon, numerous speakers, and a ribbon-cutting by Miss Warm Springs Chloe Suppah.
Special guest speaker Dallas Tonsager, under secretary for USDA Rural Development, said that his agency has been charged with building rural facilities, including electrical, water and communication systems.
"Rural America has special challenges," he said. "Tribal America has very special challenges. This project looks like it's going to benefit virtually every member of Warm Springs.
OHSU Vice President Dr. Mark O’Hollaren spoke about communication’s connection to health.
Dr. Mark O'Hollaren, vice president of Oregon Health and Science University, which provides outreach to the tribes, was on hand to congratulate the tribes on their new telecom.
"This could do much more for the health of your community than I think you realize," he said, noting that it would encourage economic development and education.
Comparing the reservation to a human body, O'Hollaren said, "Indian culture is the heart of the body here on the reservation, but you can't get along without the nervous system. The nervous system is communication."
With broadband service across the reservation, the tribes gain access to "the world's learning," he said. "It may seem distant from health, but I think, in fact, it's central to improving the health of your community."
Adam Haas, general manager of Warm Springs Telecommunications Co., introduces the staff at the country’s newest tribal telecom during its grand opening on Jan. 27, in Warm Springs.
Anspach applauded the Tribal Council's unwaivering support for the project. "This is a really good example of the definition of 'doing,'" he said.
