The “Commod phone” will be coming to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation again.

Only this time, free internet and a smartphone are part of the deal.

A federal initiative to bring working smartphones and internet access to tribal members in rural America was outlined for the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board last week.

The Federal Communications Commission is working with North American Local LLC to bring this service to Native American Montanans as part of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Roger Lynn, a company representative, has been working for the federal Lifeline Program for eight years, tribal committee minutes. He met with the Tribal Council through a ZOOM phone call to discuss bringing another source of internet for tribal members, committee minutes state.

Lynn said he was there to offer internet connectivity for everyone through the Affordable Connectivity Program. The offer includes a free smartphone, free 5G internet service, and unlimited local/long distance calling.

Instead of using local lines, participants will be connected to AT&T’s wireless network. It’s for anyone who lives on the reservation receiving some kind of government assistance. This includes food stamps, Medicaid, Social Security, commodities, federal housing, and Head Start. 

“There is no contract,” Lynn said. “It’s completely free to everybody who qualifies.”

Anyone who signs up will never get a bill from the phone company nor will they be charged if they go over their data. The phones are at least three years old and the SIM card can be used in iPhones, documents state.

Other information the company would ask for is the name, last four digits of their social security number, proof of a physical address.

North American Local LLC is one of several businesses the government contracted to provide phone and internet access in rural areas and tribal lands for the FCC. Lynn said the company has members in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Alabama, serving just under 10,000 people so far, minutes state. 

Tribal Councilwoman Shannon Martell asked about the many families that live in one home. Lynn said they will allow six people 18 years-old or older in the household.

This could create at least two part-time jobs to provide customer service for the public. 

Councilwoman Marva Chapman asked how this would work with Nemont already owning the cell phone towers. 

The APC works with AT&T and the towers have to work with them, Lynn said.

Realistically it’s the “Commod phone,” Chapman said, referring to years ago when cell phones were new to the area. The TEB is thinking of waiting to see what other tribal governments are doing, she said.

“This will have a huge economic impact,” Chapman said. Everyone can benefit from this, especially tribal elders, she said.  

There are no contracts between the company and their clients. Tribal governments will not be obligated to sign anything, Lynn said. 

Jobs created by the ACP will pay $12 an hour, plus a bonus. Commission will be paid for every phone they give.

Lynn agreed to send two of these phones to the TEB to try for a month. During this time they will be applying for a business license.

The council ended this discussion by authorizing North American Local LLC to work and assist with tribal members participating in the Federal Guideline and Affordable Connectivity Program.