Driven by need and created by vision, rural citizens residing on the High Plains of eastern New Mexico have benefited from telephone services for more than five decades. The creation of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative (now referred to as ENMR•Plateau) by an interested group of area farmers, ranchers, and other citizens has been far-reaching. Before, rural citizens had been lacking dependable, quality telephone service. Regulatory agencies were quick to recognize this unmet need and the importance for supplying reliable and affordable phone service; therefore, these groups became very supportive of this small company's initiatives. In more recent times, residents have enjoyed other modern telecommunications technologies including mobile phones, long distance service, business solutions, dial-up Internet, and high-speed Internet provided by ENMR•Plateau.

The earliest periods of service came as a result of an arrangement between the Clovis-based Farmer's Electric Cooperative and ENMR by sharing the same facilities. As services were upgraded, there became a need for more physical space, greater independence, and the application of improved business strategies. These changes also necessitated the hiring of the first full-time general manager and operations were moved to its current location on the northern outskirts of the City of Clovis. Early beginnings witnessed financial conditions and other obstacles which were not easily conquered. Eventually, a growing number of subscribers provided the necessary financial stability to improve borrowing power, allowed for greater investments, the purchase of newer technologies, and offered members capital credits for their participation.

When the federal court rulings in the mid-1980s dismantled the nationally known telephone network providers, smaller companies like ENMR•Plateau derived benefit. Choices by customers created competitive markets for added services. Knowing that larger, nationally recognized companies would be more hesitant to enter underserved rural areas created a condition and business opportunity for ENMR to begin its subsidiary operation (Plateau Telecommunications).

Increasing demands of a faster paced society and the advent of rapid, reliably good telecommunications systems caused the Board of Directors to accept the recommendations of management to invest in fiber optic cabling, modern networking equipment, and the establishment of strategically located retail stores. Company-owned and shared fiber optic cable network now exceeds 1,500 miles from Amarillo to El Paso and from Albuquerque to Lubbock. Due to this investment, many business development opportunities have been and continue to be created enhancing the economic stability of the region. Multiple sales and customer care locations are now an expected convenience. New Mexico locations include Clovis, Ft. Sumner, Santa Rosa, Clayton, Logan, Vaughn, Roswell, Carlsbad, and Artesia. Texas outlets exist in Farwell, Levelland, and Plainview. Approximately forty other agent locations are available to customers in various segments of the region as well.

Due to the advent of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, ENMR•Plateau will consider all business options-to the extent of becoming a competitive local exchange carrier in certain markets. In essence, the Act has opened the door for expanded business strategies including bundling of telephony, high speed Internet, broad bandwidth spectrum for data transmission, and future video-conferencing. Favorable economic conditions and earnings growth will determine future investments, new services, and programs to make a closer connection with the customers.

ENMR•Plateau's achievements are laden with success stories. With approximately 12,000 landline customers and 75,000 wireless accounts, customers continually praise the local technical support and reliability of service. Internet subscribers exceed 15,000 throughout the region. Customer satisfaction is at an all-time high, so the future is indeed bright for the company.

A message from the Chief Executive Officer, Tom Phelps

“In 1949, our first member/customers were thrilled to receive telephone service from ENMR Telephone Cooperative.  Since that date, ENMR has developed and consistently maintained a sterling reputation for state-of-the-industry technology, exceptional customer service, and unparalleled support of our area communities. 

ENMR•Plateau, along with our subsidiary companies Plateau Wireless and Plateau Telecommunications, offers virtually 100% reliability on our land-line phone service, the most comprehensive cell phone coverage footprint in Eastern New Mexico, high-speed broadband internet using a massive fiber optic network throughout New Mexico and West Texas, and an unequaled array of communications products for our residential and business customers.

Our prudent investment in technology tells only part of the story about our company.  We truly are YOUR local phone company.  We operate local business offices in Clayton, Logan, Fort Sumner, Santa Rosa, Vaughn, and Farwell; and wireless store locations in Clovis, Roswell, Artesia, Carlsbad, Levelland TX and Plainview TX.  When you phone our toll-free number, you will talk to a real person who lives and works near you, and knows and understands your account. 

Our commitment to personal customer service is matched by our commitment to the economic development of our service area.  ENMR•Plateau’s contributions to these communities range from special promotions to collect school supplies for local school children, to economic development grants for new businesses, to over $60,000 in scholarships to area high school students each year.