🏛️ Who We Are
Warm Springs Telecom is a wholly owned enterprise of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We are the 9th tribally owned telecommunications company in the United States, created to serve every person, business, and government agency on the Warm Springs Reservation with landline telephone service and high-speed broadband Internet.
Our Commitment
We are committed to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that every member of our community has access to reliable, affordable telecommunications services. As a tribally owned enterprise, we reinvest in our community and prioritize local needs.
📖 Our History
After many years of planning and community engagement, Warm Springs Telecom became a reality through federal support and tribal determination to bring modern communications to the reservation.
Warm Springs Telecom received a significant ARRA grant in the summer of 2010. This federal funding enabled us to build the infrastructure needed to bring modern telecommunications to the reservation.
Construction of our Central Office building housing customer service, administration, and all central office equipment. A comprehensive fiber optic and fixed wireless network was built around the reservation to connect customers.
Warm Springs Telecom began providing service to homes and businesses. We received certification from the State of Oregon as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC), allowing us to provide service throughout Oregon.
Received all needed certifications to offer the Federal Lifeline Program. Our Tribal Connect program enables qualifying households to receive telephone service at $1 per month plus fees.
Awarded the NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Grant for $7 million. After all of the hurdles and permitting, construction begins January 5, 2026 in Agency and West Hills.
Awarded the USDA's Reconnect 5 Grant. We applied for fiber optic services for our customers on County Line Road, Sidwalter, Sidwalter Fire Department, the HeHe Lodge, Simnasho, the Simnasho Longhouse and most customers in that area. Construction begins late 2026 or early 2027.
🎯 Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To provide reliable, affordable, and advanced telecommunications services to all residents, businesses, and government entities on the Warm Springs Reservation, while fostering economic development and community growth through technology and connectivity.
Our Vision
To be a leading tribally owned telecommunications provider that bridges the digital divide, empowers our community through connectivity, and serves as a model for tribal telecommunications enterprises nationwide.
📊 By The Numbers
🏅 Certifications & Programs
We Are Certified & Authorized For:
🌐 Technology & Infrastructure
Our network infrastructure represents a significant investment in the future of the Warm Springs Reservation:
Fiber Optic Network: State-of-the-art fiber infrastructure delivering speeds up to 1 Gigabit.
Fixed Wireless Network: Wireless broadband serving areas where fiber is not yet available.
Central Office: Modern facility housing all telecommunications equipment and customer service.
Redundant Systems: Backup power and failover systems ensuring reliable service.
Continuous Upgrades: Ongoing investment in technology and infrastructure improvements.
🤝 Community Impact
As a tribally owned enterprise, Warm Springs Telecom serves a vital role in the community:
💼 Local Employment
Creating jobs and career opportunities for tribal members and local residents
📚 Educational Access
Enabling distance learning, online education, and digital literacy programs
🏥 Telehealth Services
Supporting remote healthcare and telemedicine for improved health outcomes
💰 Economic Development
Enabling businesses to compete in the digital economy and attract investment
🏛️ Tribal Sovereignty
Exercising tribal sovereignty through ownership and operation of critical infrastructure
🌍 Digital Inclusion
Bridging the digital divide and ensuring all community members can participate in the digital world
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Warm Springs Telecom is proud to be a wholly owned enterprise of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, which consists of the Wasco, Walla Walla, and Paiute tribes. Our work supports the economic self-sufficiency and technological advancement of the Warm Springs Reservation and its people.