Arlington, Va., October 26, 2005 -- The Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC) has joined the Coalition to Keep America Connected to lend support to the Coalition's effort to ensure consumers receive access to affordable telecommunications services and the latest technologies - no matter where they live.

'The Coalition's objective of promoting the importance of keeping Americans connected through the nation's robust communications network is critical, especially as Congress considers rewriting the laws that govern the telecommunications industry,' said RTFC Senior Vice President, Larry Zawalick. 'RTFC is pleased to be a member of the Coalition as it strives to educate policymakers and the public about the vital need for all consumers to receive the latest communications technologies at affordable prices.'

Zawalick presented a check for $75,000 to NTCA's Shirley Bloomfield, a member of the coalition's steering committee. RTFC's generous financial contribution will help fund the coalition's public relations and communications activities, among other endeavors.

The Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit lending cooperative created in 1987 to serve the financial needs of the rural telecommunications industry. With a membership of more than 500 rural cooperatives and companies across the United States and its territories, RTFC is the leading private-sector lender to the rural telecom industry. 

 The National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) and the Minnesota Association for Rural Telecommunications (MART) also recently joined the Coalition to Keep America Connected.

'On behalf of NCBA's many cooperative members, I am pleased to offer our support to the Coalition to Keep America Connected,' stated NCBA President and CEO Paul Hazen. 'We need to protect all citizens' access to affordable service through the enhancement of the Universal Service Fund, which greatly benefits all U.S. consumers,' he added.

MART President and CEO Randy Young encouraged MART members and other state associations to support the Coalition's efforts. 'Americans in every state deserve the same opportunity to enjoy the benefits that affordable technologies bring. Universal service support is critical to our nation's ability to meet its commerce, national security, public health and safety goals, and supporting the Universal Service Fund greatly benefits all U.S. consumers.'

The Coalition to Keep America Connected is dedicated to ensuring that all consumers have access to affordable telecommunications services and the latest technologies-no matter where they live. The effort is organized by four rural telecom associations, whose memberships include 700 small and midsize communications companies. Together these companies serve millions of consumers and 40% of the landmass across America. Visit us at www.keepamericaconnected.org.