VisionNet’s Success Story – Strength in Numbers

Montana is one of the most sparsely populated states in the nation, which makes it a great candidate for videoconferencing. But when small telcos first looked to offer videoconferencing in their communities, they found the cost put it out of reach.

The solution was the creation in 1995 of VisionNet http://www.vision.net , a statewide organization of telcos that now operates an MPLS network throughout Montana, supporting distance learning, video arraignments and other applications. At the same time VisionNet was founded, some of its same members also formed Montana Advanced Information Network to create the statewide transport network on which videoconferencing services run. In 2005, MAIN and VisionNet were merged, and the combined entity now has nine small telco owners, including seven cooperatives. Today’s organization carries the VisionNet name and has branched into transport and Internet services.

By Joan Engebretson

Full Story: http://telephonyonline.com/independent/news/small_business_bands_together_090201/