|
Texas
Statewide Telephone Cooperative,
Inc. (TSTCI) is a statewide organization representing telephone
cooperatives and other rural independent telephone exchange companies
in Texas. TSTCI is a telephone industry organization dedicated
entirely to representing and serving the interests of the Texas rural
independent telecommunications providers and customers.
TSTCI was founded in 1952 by
the telephone cooperatives to enable them to accomplish together what
they could not accomplish individually. The membership was
expanded in 1985 to include privately owned rural telephone companies
serving fewer than 50,000 access lines. Our non-profit trade
association represents 16 commercial companies and 22 cooperatives in
Texas.
These actions recognize two
things. First, the small and rural telephone companies and
cooperatives have many of the same interests and needs; and second,
together we can accomplish more than is possible individually. By
any standard, TSTCI’s efforts have been extremely successful and very
beneficial to its member companies. TSTCI has contributed
significantly to many legislative and regulatory successes over the
past several years, benefiting its members for years to come.
The seven-member TSTCI Board of
Directors is comprised of executive management individuals of the
member companies. The association provides its membership with
legal, industry, regulatory and legislative representation; employee
education and technical training; publications; and regular membership
meetings.
TSTCI carries out many
activities on behalf of its members, including representation on issues
before the FCC, active participation in Texas PUC matters, as well as
legislative involvement at both state and federal levels. By
sharing the expense of these activities, members are able to receive
these benefits much more cost-effectively than they would be able to
individually.
The future of rural Texas is
tied directly to the quality of its telecommunications
capability. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and
marketplace competition, TSTCI's goal is to ensure that rural Texans
receive telecommunications services that are equal in quality to those
available to urban residents -- and at reasonable rates. TSTCI is
ensuring access to advanced services and making a commitment to the
communities they serve.
|
 |
