Coalition To Keep America Connected.

Arlington, Va., September 12, 2006 -- Iowa's independent telephone companies have been working together to educate consumers about the importance of the Universal Service Fund (USF). At the recent state fair, the Iowan volunteers arranged for a coalition banner, booth space and materials to be provided to attendees.

This all-volunteer effort has increased the visibility of the Coalition to Keep America Connected and kept our primary messages of fairness, access and affordability in the forefront of federal legislators and consumers.

Located in the Harper Telephone Company building in the Pioneer Village at the Iowa State Fair, the Iowa volunteers came together to encourage consumers to sign a letter of support for USF which will be sent to Senators Grassley and Harkin. They showed the recently released coalition DVD and discussed the issue with consumers as they passed through the fair.

Iowa leaders instrumental in implement this dynamic effort include Ron Laudner of Omnitel, Dave Duncan and Stefani Millie of ITA and Tom Fisher of RITTA.

Iowa State fair attendees line up, waiting
to lend their voices to the telecom debate

A rural consumer signs a letter to her Senators,
urging their support of the universal service fund

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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.