Crst Telephone Authority

Crst Telephone Authority, also known as Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority (CRSTTA), is a tribally owned telecommunications firm and federally recognized Indian tribe based in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. The company provides telephone, fax, and broadband services to support federal agency operations and schools on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. As a rural telecommunications provider, Crst Telephone Authority plays a crucial role in connecting remote communities to essential communication services and has received significant federal funding to expand broadband infrastructure and enable distance learning and telemedicine capabilities across the reservation.

Through federal contract awards, Crst Telephone Authority has consistently provided telephone and fax services to the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Cheyenne River Agency and the Bureau of Indian Education's Cheyenne Eagle Butte School. These contracts, primarily awarded by the Department of the Interior's Great Plains Region and Bureau of Indian Education, typically range from $13,300 to $140,445.90 and have durations spanning from one to five years. The services provided under these contracts support the daily operations of federal agencies and educational institutions on the reservation. Notably, these contracts are awarded without any set-aside designations, indicating that Crst Telephone Authority competes successfully for these opportunities based on its capabilities and performance.

In addition to contract awards, Crst Telephone Authority has secured substantial federal grant funding to expand its telecommunications infrastructure and services. In September 2022, the company received a $16,957,883 Project Grant from the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants program. This two-year grant aims to enhance the delivery of distance learning and telemedicine services in Eagle Butte and surrounding areas. Furthermore, in May 2022, Crst Telephone Authority was awarded a Project Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to implement broadband adoption activities, including digital inclusion efforts and affordable broadband programs. This grant, set to run until March 2025, addresses the challenges of low broadband subscription rates and high service costs on the Cheyenne River Reservation, where the company offers broadband service to 90% of the 2.8 million acres but faces approximately 58% subscription penetration.