Qwest Expands Outreach to Low-Income Residents on Tribal Lands

Qwest (www.qwest.com) today announced an expanded outreach effort aimed at promoting low-cost telephone service to individuals living on the more than 60 tribal lands across its 14-state region.

The effort, combined with new federal guidelines making more residents eligible for Qwest's Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up telephone assistance programs, means even more now qualify for low-cost telecommunications installation and service.

"Qwest is proud of its role in connecting families with technology and telecommunications services on tribal lands," said Paula Kruger, Qwest executive vice president, consumer markets.

Under recently expanded Federal Poverty Guidelines, customers whose household income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines now qualify for assistance. Household income was not part of the eligibility requirements before.

Qwest will expand its outreach, working with leaders in tribal communities throughout its 14-state region to publicize the availability of these programs.

Qwest began offering Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up in June 2000, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the programs in an effort to promote telephone service in underserved tribal areas.

Individuals living on tribal lands qualify for the Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up if they participate in one of the following low-income programs.