Blackfoot delivers Unprecedented Broadband Speed to Rural Customers

Blackfoot packages faster Broadband speed, long distance minutes and features

Blackfoot Telecommunications Group http://www.blackfoot.com announced the launch of an exciting new business package at their Annual Shareholders Meeting on Saturday, May 3 in front of 500 member-owners in Missoula, Montana. The business package appropriately named BizBundles is designed to fit the needs of Blackfoot’s rural business owners located in 22 Western Montana communities with affordable long distance service– great phone features– and up to 15 Mbps of high speed Internet. “The ability to share increasing amounts of information, at greater and greater speeds, increases productivity, facilitates interstate commerce, and helps drive innovation. But perhaps most important, broadband has the potential to affect almost every aspect of our lives,” stated FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin.

Surfing the Internet, downloading files or conducting any kind of business transaction on a dial-up connection can be time consuming and cost prohibitive. Access to broadband services is one of the most important engines that drive rural business development. Blackfoot’s enhanced fiber optic network and recent industry changes, now allows them to deliver bundled business service at an affordable price and at speeds only offered in metropolitan areas.

“Early on Blackfoot recognized that access to quality high speed Internet access would be critical for the future of business in rural Montana” noted Dave Martin, Director of Technology for Blackfoot. “The first Blackfoot DSL offering was released in 1999. In order to provide the highest speeds possible, we implemented a network enhancement initiative in 2002 and by 2006, 98.5% of Blackfoot customers had access to cutting edge broadband services provided over an advanced fiber optic network.”

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Blackfoot Highlights Strong Financial Performance

Scope of product innovation and delivery, and their commitment to community drives growth.

Blackfoot Telecommunications Group held their annual meeting on Saturday, May 3, where Blackfoot Chief Executive Officer Joan Mandeville discussed the company’s plans to drive continued long-term growth, increasing the value to our member-owners. In the cooperative, each customer has an ownership interest and Mandeville expressed the strong commitment that Blackfoot has to building upon its past success on their behalf. Mandeville highlighted the positive customer momentum behind the company’s offering of bundled services for business and residential customers, noting the strong response to high-speed internet and affordability.

Mandeville addressed the national trends of declining traditional phone lines and outlined Blackfoot’s strategy to be competitive in an ever changing market: “Blackfoot built a next generation network to support broadband, diversified revenue sources, and created value for our customers by bundling multiple products and services.”

Blackfoot also gave out $4000 in cash, prizes, and raffle drawings that included an exclusive weather station gift. The large raffle took place with over 300 names entered into the drawing. Two of the youngest people in attendance, John Anthony and Airiana Henry of Arlee drew St. Ignatius resident Inez Pounds as the top prize winner of $500.00. “I have been a member of Blackfoot Telephone since the beginning, and I have attended over 20 Blackfoot annual meetings and this is my first win. This is a wonderful surprise and great gift.” said Mrs. Pounds.

“As a Cooperative, giving back to our communities is part of our culture,” said Mandeville. In 2007 Blackfoot contributed $41,000 to charitable organizations, $22,000 to community improvement activities, $40,000 to educational programs, and $17,000 for special projects assistance. Mandeville also highlighted Blackfoot’s involvement as a major contributor for Cougar Kingdom, a community playground project in Clinton, Montana.

At the annual meeting, the membership reelected the following directors to serve until 2011: Cindy Lewis – Seeley Lake; Bill Teague – Clinton; and Jim Blush – Charlo.

About Blackfoot Telecommunications Group Named after the Blackfoot River running through much of the territory it serves, the Blackfoot (Blackfoot) Telecommunications Group was originally established in 1954 as Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative. Blackfoot offers state-of-the-art telecommunications, Internet and data solutions to customers in Missoula and throughout Montana and Idaho. Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Blackfoot employs more than 165 Montanans. Blackfoot can be reached at 406-541-5000 or through its web site at http://www.blackfoot.com .