O1 Communications Offers California Teleconnect Fund Discounts to All Approved Community-Based Organizations in California
The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) is a program of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) created in 1997 to provide discounts on telecommunications services to schools, libraries, health care institutions, and certain community-based organizations (CBOs) in California. CBOs with programmatic activity in the areas of technology, health care, job training, job placement, and educational instruction qualify for the discounts and are required to submit an application for approval to the CPUC. These discounts create new opportunities for qualified CBOs to offer affordable access to technology, training, and other resources to individuals in low income and underserved communities.
In 2002, due largely to the efforts of the California Community Technology Policy Group (CCTPG), changes that benefited qualified CBOs were signed into law. These changes streamlined the application process and increased the discount percentage for CBOs. For more information about the CTF and how to apply to the program, please visit: www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Public+Programs/CTF/.
Unfortunately, many telecommunications carriers in California refuse to provide the discounts to approved CBOs. In some instances, carriers provide only some of the discounts and/or operate only in specific regions of the state. Thus, CCTPG has worked arduously to protect this fund and to ensure that all qualified and approved CBOs throughout California are able to access all of the CTF discounts.
In this communication, CCTPG is pleased to share with you that o1 Communications (o1) is a telecommunication company that operates throughout California and honors all of the CTF discounts for all approved CBOs in the state. For more information about the company, please visit: www.o1.com. (Additional information about o1 and a complete list of discounts is included below)
If you are interested in the CTF discounts provided by o1 Communications, please contact:
Sheldon Samford
Senior Account Executive
Tel: (916) 233-4998
Cell: (916) 273-2508
ssamford@o1.com
During the upcoming 2008 Sacramento Day, organized by CCTPG on May 6, 2008, o1 Communications will be providing additional information about their services and CTF discounts. For more information about the 2008 Sacramento Day, please visit: http://www.cctpg.org/node/222 .
You can also visit the CPUC website to view a list of other telecommunications carriers in your area that honor all or some of the discounts: www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Public+Programs/CTF/sb909.htm
CCTPG knows that CBOs in California continue to face obstacles in accessing the discounts from other telecommunications companies. Consequently, CCTPG will continue to work with the CPUC, state political leaders, and the telecommunications companies to make sure that all qualified and approved CBOs throughout California have equal and fair access to all CTF discounts.
About o1 Communications and Discount Information
Founded in 1998, o1 Communications, Inc. is a full-service provider of innovative data and voice telecommunication products and services to business organizations and communications solution providers. o1 Communications offers a growing, innovative suite of products featuring dedicated Internet access, MPLS-based networks, advanced VoIP technology, and reliable, high-performing co-location services based out of o1’s state-of-the-art Class A Internet Data Center. Recognized by its customers for its ongoing commitment to superior service and support, o1 Communications is dedicated to providing solutions that best serve its customers’ needs via its robust network of direct sales and strategic channel partnership organizations. For more information, contact us at (888) 444-1111 or visit www.o1.com.
o1 provides the following CTF discounts to Californian CBOs that are already approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.
- Dynamic Voice/Data Bundles: 8 line, T-1 loop with 1,000 minutes: $251.50*
- Dynamic Voice/Data Bundles: 16 line, T-1 loop with 1,000 minutes: $282*
- TDM Voice/Data Bundle: 8 line, T-1 loop with 1,000 minutes: $251.50*
- TDM Voice/Data Bundle: 16 line, T-1 loop with 1,000 minutes: $289*
- Direct Internet Access: T-1: $238.50*
- Data Access: DSL 384: $55*
- Up to 100% discount on installation costs for high-speed broadband services (DSL and/or T1 lines).
* Per month based on 36 month term of contract