Foundation
Telecommunications, Inc. (FTI) Rural Satellite Broadband Tapped to Help
Schools, University, Libraries, and Agencies Close Digital Divide
TIPS/TAPS Purchasing
Coop Makes FTI Internet and VoIP Services Available Across 45 States
OVERLAND
PARK, Kan., Nov. 30, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foundation Telecommunications, Inc. (FTI)
announced that the TIPS/TAPS purchasing consortium has selected it
to provide broadband Internet and VoIP (voice-over-IP) services to member
educational entities and government agencies. TIPS/TAPS made the award through a competitive
bid process.
The FTI proprietary two-way satellite service is
uniquely engineered to provide reliable high-speed Internet and telephone
services to rural geographically isolated schools, libraries and other
government agencies unable to contract for Internet services from other
providers.
FTI's satellite installations are multi-purpose
educational telecommunications gateways for rural schools that deliver
immediate access to Internet, free long distance telephone calls and
educational television programming. The FTI satellite Internet installation is capable of
providing telephone service through its "Foundation Fone" VoIP
technology with free long distance calls throughout the US. In addition, the
installation also provides access to the eight channels of SCOLA educational foreign broadcast services that
are currently viewed by over ten million students nationwide.
Kim
Thompson, TIPS/TAPS Cooperative Coordinator says of the
award, "TIPS/TAPS is very excited about the partnership
created with FTI as a leading national vendor for Internet
Services. Our purpose is to offer a cooperative program that can provide
substantial savings and best value for TIPS/TAPS Members and we believe FTI will help us achieve our purpose."
"Now
with FTI's service, even the most geographically
isolated rural schools, libraries and government agencies can gain Internet
service that is equal or better than that enjoyed by their big city
counterparts," said George Livergood, President of FTI. "The FTI multi-function satellite gateway will finally
bridge the digital divide inherent in rural America's access to
state-of-the-art telecommunications resources."
TIPS/TAPS is available for use by all public and
private schools, colleges, universities, cities, counties and other government
entities in 45 states. Participation of government entities will provide
the legally required competition for contracts for commonly purchased items,
thereby saving the individual government agency the cost of going through the
competitive process.
About Foundation Telecommunications, Inc.
Founded in
1979, Foundation Telecommunications, Inc. provides International innovative
telecommunications network solutions using leading edge technologies with a
"customer first priority". FTI integrates total digital solutions
incorporating the most appropriate technologies whether satellite, fiber, laser
or wireless for the most appropriate customer solutions. From providing
wireless MESH communications from deep in an Appalachian coal mine to the rest
of the world to geographically remote automated high-performance wireless
"Hot Spots", FTI is on the leading edge. For more
information on FTI please visit http://www.ftionline.com.
About TIPS/TAPS
The
Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS/TAPS) is a purchasing support group for
Government Entities and Schools in 45 states. For more information visit http://www.tips-usa.com/
About SCOLA
SCOLA is a non-profit educational organization
that receives and re-transmits television programming from around the world in
native languages. SCOLA also provides other language learning
content on this Web site. Universities, Colleges, K-12 schools, cable systems,
government language schools and individuals use SCOLA content for current news, language study
and cultural enhancement. SCOLA content is available via satellite, the
Internet and through participating cable providers. For more information on SCOLA visit http://www.scola.org or call (712) 566-2202
and speak with one of our helpful employees.
CONTACT:
George
Livergood
President/CEO
Foundation
Telecommunications, Inc.
+1.800-833-3353
glivergood@ftionline.com
