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Blackfoot responds to broadband concerns in Mineral County
Blackfoot responds to broadband concerns in Mineral CountyJanuary 16, 2008 Missoula, Mont – See full article here: http://www.clarkforkchronicle.com/article.php/2008011616005260
Willie Jo Ogden from Seeley Lake wins $10,000 at MyMontana.com
Willie Jo Ogden from Seeley Lake wins $10,000 at MyMontana.comDecember 21, 2007 Missoula, Mont – Willie Jo Ogden from Seeley Lake, MT wins $10,000 at MyMontana.com. On Thursday, December 20, 2007, Jo was randomly selected from thousands of registrants at the MyMontana site. “I am in shock and frankly in grateful tears since you called, “says native Montanan, Willie Jo who has come into some very hard times in the last few years. The $10,000 cash prize couldn’t have come at a better time. When asked how she will spend the money, Willie Jo took a deep breath and said, “I will use the money to take care of some bills and we’ll see what else after that.” MyMontana.com wishes Jo much happiness over the holiday season and a hopeful and prosperous New Year.Chris Kirschten and Kate Olney from the Blackfoot Telecommunications Group Sales and Marketing are seen here congratulating Willie Jo (photo center) and presenting her with the $10,000 check (Photo of winner attached). MyMontana.com Site SummaryThe new MyMontana.com is the state’s first Web site where Montanans can stay connected to local Montana news and information as well as and national news and information on a single site – wherever they live. Earlier this year, Blackfoot purchased both the Montana.com and MyMontana.com domains, keeping them owned and controlled by local Montanans. Blackfoot’s goal in developing MyMontana.com is to bring a wealth of information about Montana and beyond to your fingertips – including news, road conditions, government resources, city information, as well as to provide state-of-the-art multi-media video and games, dynamic and interactive discussion groups, and free classified advertisement services for registered users. MyMontana.com interactive features:• Montana News and Information • Personal Blogs and Discussion Forums Site Customization and Web 2.0 Technologies provide convenience. Site users can customize their news information to view only the Montana city information that they’re interested in viewing – all via the use of “widgets” embedded in the site. Whether it’s taking advantage of the latest in web 2.0 technologies, such as using widgets or RSS feeds for up- to-the -minute news and information from around the state of Montana, U.S. and even World, MyMontana.com provides cutting-edge technologies for internet users of all ages to simplify and enhance their web surfing experience.
$10,000 Contest Drives Record-Breaking Traffic to NEW MyMontana.com Site
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| 1221 N. Russell St.Missoula, MT 59808 www.blackfoot.com | Blackfoot Telecommunications GroupPhone: (406) 541-5020 Fax: (406) 541-5099 |
Nov 22, 2006 Missoula, Mont. - Blackfoot Telecommunications Group received top honors as the Large Private Employer of the Year at Montana’s annual Governor’s Conference on Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Safety, held in September in West Yellowstone, Mont.
Human Resource Manager Laura Marshall accepted the award for Blackfoot and gave credit to Blackfoot CEO Joan Mandeville, acknowledging that “creating a safety culture really does start at the top, and Joan genuinely cares about our employees’ safety.”
Blackfoot was recognized for establishing a wide array of effective safety and health wellness programs. Over the past three years, more than 75 separate topics have been covered in safety classes taught at Blackfoot. Blackfoot also received accolades for adding workplace safety to employee reviews, in an effort to promote safety as a top company priority.
Among the most notable of Blackfoot’s many initiatives are the free CPR and first aid certification and training sessions, offered to all employees during regular work hours. Blackfoot also received kudos for participating in “Move Missoula”, a Missoula City-County Health Department program that encourages employees to take breaks, get out from behind their desks, and walk around the campus neighborhood.
“This award really belongs to all our employees,” said Marshall at the awards ceremony. “It’s really a thank you for their commitment to workplace safety.”
The Governor’s Health and Safety Awards are the highest honor given by the state of Montana for recognition of an employer’s commitment to excellence in workplace safety and health.
Named after the Blackfoot River running through much of the territory it serves, 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 22 other communities in western 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.
| 1221 N. Russell St.Missoula, MT 59808 www.blackfoot.com | Blackfoot Telecommunications GroupPhone: (406) 541-5020 Fax: (406) 541-5099 |
October 20, 2006 Missoula, Mont - Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative’s Board of Trustees donated $10,000 to the Seeley Swan Medical Center earlier this month to aid the clinic’s expansion efforts.
The donation will pay off the purchase price of the land needed for the clinic expansion. Future development plans include an independent/assisted living facility, expanded family practice facilities, physical therapy, optometry, dentistry and chiropractic providers and possibly a pharmacy and ambulance facility.
“The board is dedicated to supporting rural medical facilities,” said Bill Squires, Senior VP-General Counsel for Blackfoot. “Quality healthcare is the cornerstone for keeping people in the community. If there’s no good healthcare, people will leave.”
Nearly six years ago Blackfoot’s Board of Trustees helped planners secure an interest-free loan from the USDA to build the much-needed Seeley-Swan Medical Center. Blackfoot’s contributions paired with the center’s lease arrangement with St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center has provided the clinic to the Seeley Swan community totally free of taxpayer funds.
“Blackfoot is strongly committed to maintaining high-quality rural healthcare facilities,” said Squires.
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 22 other communities in western 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.
| 1221 N. Russell St.Missoula, MT 59808 www.blackfoot.com | Blackfoot Telecommunications GroupPhone: (203) 555-0100 Fax: (203) 555-0101 |
September 21, 2006 Missoula, Mont – Blackfoot Telecommunications Group announced Thursday its new partnership with Eagle Satellite - an independent reseller of DISH Network. The collaboration is a significant business move that enhances Blackfoot and Eagle Satellite service offerings.
The addition of DISH Network to Blackfoot’s services positions the company as a full-service entertainment and communications provider. “Our relationship with Eagle provides Blackfoot customers in Missoula even more options for services, and at a lower price than currently available elsewhere,” said Kevin Amazon, Blackfoot’s VP of Sales and Marketing.”The DISH package complements Blackfoot’s current phone and high-speed Internet services. “Consumers can now get all of their television, phone and high-speed Internet services locally from Blackfoot,” said Amazon. DISH Network is now a major part of Blackfoot’s bundled services in Missoula and will soon be offered in Blackfoot’s rural cooperative areas.
Pat Gordon, president of Eagle Satellite said, "We are extremely excited about the opportunity to provide quality telecommunications services from such a venerable company as Blackfoot Communications. Providing high-quality entertainment, phone service and Internet at a very reasonable price will be a great benefit to all the people of Western Montana."
Eagle Satellite is Missoula’s oldest and largest satellite dealer and independent reseller of DISH Network. Eagle employs more than 30 people and has offices in Missoula, Butte, Great Falls & Bozeman.
Named after the Blackfoot River running through much of the territory it serves, Blackfoot Telecommunications Group was established in 1954 as Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative. Blackfoot offers state-of-the-art telecommunications, Internet, data solutions and now DISH Network satellite TV to customers in Missoula and 22 other communities in western 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.
Missoula, MT –May 12, 2006 –
Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative is proud to add a $1000 contribution to the funds donated by other members and businesses in the Seeley Lake area toward the building of the Eagle’s Nest Playground at Seeley Lake Elementary School.
"We enjoy being a part of these the types of projects in support of our members and their communities," said board member Cindy Lewis. One of many pieces of play equipment requested by the children who designed the project is a "telephone system". The donation from Blackfoot will be used to purchase this as well as other construction materials.
The playground will be built by volunteers from June 21 – 25. It will provide a safe place for children of all ages to play and offer a broad range of opportunities for exercise and fun.
Left to Right: Cindy Lewis, Blackfoot Board Trustee; Becky Monaghan, Playground Volunteer Coordinator; Sally Johnson, Playground Treasurer
Missoula, MT - May 11, 2006 - Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative proudly supports our local students through the Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative scholarship program. “We believe in education and hope to help graduating high school students with their continuing education goals,” states CEO Joan Mandeville. The scholarship program began in 1995 with the intent of helping the selected students with some of the costs incurred at college or a university. We are pleased to announce we will be presenting the following students with educational scholarships for the 2006/2007 academic year.
Arlee
Jacob Whetzel
Nicole Smith
Avon/Elliston
Kaedy Horne
Heather McIntosh
Charlo
Jessica Bucholz
Erin Gallagher
Timothy Sieges
Drummond/Helmville/Ovando
Lorne Stitt
Colton Coughlin
Alicia Wheatley
Noxon
Courtney Anderson
Megn Flockerzi
Nathaniel Haflich
Plains
Johanna Arnold
Christopher Brown
Potomac
Lucas Bahnmaier
Christopher Ness
St. Ignatius
Alan Green
Rona MacDonald
St. Regis
Nicholas Schwaderer
Rachel Vigue
Seeley Lake/Condon
Erik Rose
Christopher Anthony
Dana Friede
Samantha Dorne
Mariah Childs
Ronnie Richards
Superior
Tempe Regan
Joshua Kryzsko
Thompson Falls
Casey Creech
Derek Naegeli
Brianne Jensen
Missoula, MT –April 20, 2006 –
Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative is pleased to announce long-time Seeley Lake resident, Cindy Lewis, will serve out the remainder of Joe Nagy's term as Trustee of District 1. Born in Missoula, as a young child Cindy moved to Seeley Lake where she and Dick, her husband of 31 years, raised their two daughters, Wendy and Brandy, who currently attend college in Missoula.
| 1221 N. Russell St.Missoula, MT 59808 www.blackfoot.com | Contact: Kate OlneyBlackfoot Telecommunications GroupPhone: (406) 541-5020 Fax: (406) 541-5099 |
April 19, 2006 Missoula, Mont - Blackfoot Telecommunications Group, Inc. rolled out its fresh, cutting-edge new web site to the public Wednesday.
The site is located at www.blackfoot.com, and boasts a new, user-friendly design that captures Blackfoot’s commitment to customer service and dedication as a leading technology company in Montana.
“We welcome the launch of this new website. It is a resource that gives our customers the opportunity to access product information and receive immediate support,” said Blackfoot’s CEO, Joan Mandeville.
Key new features of the site include the online, customer-initiated “Chat Now” tool enabling customers to communicate instantly with a Blackfoot Customer Service Representative. Also new to the site is an upgraded, totally secure e-bill feature allowing customers to set up auto deductions, recurring payments and customized payment methods. There is a high-speed Internet qualification tool for users to check on available service in their area, detailed information on Blackfoot’s residential and business products and services, accessible customer support information and details on Blackfoot’s community involvement and support.
“The new, redesigned Blackfoot Web site is a clean and inviting online experience with a graphic appeal that enforces Blackfoot’s desire to deliver faster, more advanced and more reliable telecommunications services to our customers,” said Kevin Amazon, Blackfoot VP of Sales and Marketing.
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 22 other communities in western 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.
Missoula, MT –March 24th, 2006 –
After more than 30 years of service, Joe Nagy recently retired from the Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative board of trustees. As the District 1 trustee since 1973, Joe represented the exchanges of Seeley Lake and Condon. During his tenure Joe displayed an unwavering belief in the cooperative spirit as he helped guide Blackfoot through three decades of growth and success.
Missoula, MT –August 31, 2005 – Blackfoot Communications of Missoula announced today that it has completed the sale of its mobile wireless communications businesses to MTPCS, LLC. MTPCS, headquartered in Great Falls, will maintain a significant operations center in Montana, and has extensive plans to reveal a new brand, calling plans, and network expansion in the near future. Until then, local operations will continue under the Blackfoot Communications name, with all retail employees and store operations already transferred to MTPCS. MTPCS simultaneously completed its purchase of the mobile wireless business of 3 Rivers Communications in Great Falls.
MTPCS Vice President and General Manager, Ernie Peterson, stated from his Great Falls Headquarters office, “This transaction will allow the mobile wireless customers from each of the systems to experience the benefits of combining the strengths of both entities under this new company”. Mr. Peterson also said, “We will continue to provide exceptional local customer service and will strive to provide our potential client base with the positive wireless experience that they deserve.”
Joan Mandeville, CEO of Blackfoot Communications, stated: “We are excited about the opportunities a larger regional carrier can bring to our wireless customers. It was important to us that we found a buyer that would maintain our high commitment to quality and customer service. Moreover, this sale will allow us to focus our expansion on new markets and evolving technologies in our wireline and data services.”
Missoula, MT - December 27, 2004- Blackfoot Telecommunications Group, Vision Net, METNET, members of the Montana Healthcare Telecommunications Alliance, the Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network (EMTN) at Deaconess Billings Clinic, Partners in Health Telemedicine Network (PHTN) at St. Vincent Healthcare, REACH Telemedicine Network, and the Montana District Courts have joined the “Freedom Calls Network” to offer free videoconferencing to Montana families and their military family member(s) deployed overseas.
The high tech project was launched in April 2004 by Freedom Calls Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to improving the lines of communication between American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families at home.
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group, Vision Net, EMTN, PHTN, the Montana District Courts and METNET have videoconferencing equipment in different cities around Montana that makes it possible for people to talk with their family members face-to-face. These organizations have consented to the free use of their own facilities to all families with military members deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Blackfoot, headquartered in Missoula, is one of the owning companies of Vision Net. Vision Net has access to over 150 commercial and educational videoconference sites on its network throughout Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming and is encouraging all of its conference site owners to participate in the project. The Montana District Courts and METNET conduct state and court business on a daily basis. EMTN and PHTN studios are traditionally used by doctors to examine patients in rural Montana communities.
“We are proud to offer this opportunity to Montana families” said Rob Ferris, VP of Sales & Marketing at Blackfoot. “We anticipate, with the continued deployment of these facilities, we will be able to meet a high demand by service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan who wish to see and talk to their families back here in Montana.”
So far, the Freedom Calls Foundation has deployed two interactive facilities in Iraq, one at Camp Cooke, north of Baghdad, and the other at Camp Fallujah. The Army has asked that the foundation install 8 more facilities in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan in the coming months. These facilities employ the latest in videoconferencing technology and Internet based IP soft-phone technology and cost approximately $300,000.00 each to build. This is all being done with private donations at no expense to the taxpayer.
The state-wide toll free number for all information concerning Freedom Calls is 1-866-354-VNET (8638) or you can visit the Freedom Calls web site at www.freedomcalls.org. The Montana consortium of videoconferencing networks is currently constructing a web site that you can visit at www.freedomcalls.vnet-inc.com.
On September 29, 2004, the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative extended area calling proposal. Extended Area Service (EAS) is a service enhancement which expands a customer’s local calling area. The Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative EAS proposal adds all Blackfoot exchanges to the existing Missoula EAS except for Avon which will be added to the Helena EAS region.
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group recently announced they have selected Occam Networks Inc.’s BLC 6000 platform, a complete loop carrier system that uses Ethernet and Internet Protocol (IP) as core transport and service protocols, to deliver voice, video and high-speed data services to residential and business subscribers. Occam Networks Inc. is a supplier of innovative Ethernet and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies worldwide.
Blackfoot will deploy the BLC 6000s over a three-year period as they evolve their existing SONET network to an all IP services transport network.
"We began the drive to a next-generation, standards-based IP/Ethernet network two years ago with the ultimate goal of delivering every service over IP," said Dave Martin, Blackfoot Director of Technology. "Rather than wait for a service requirement to force us to modernize, we decided to get ahead of the curve. It was clear that a network built using a native IP architecture would be simpler to build and manage, as well as more cost effective."
Blackfoot chose the Ethernet-based BLC 6000 over products from a variety of vendors because it met their IP/Ethernet requirements and could be integrated smoothly with the company's existing switches. The BLC 6000 enables Blackfoot to centralize interfaces and deploy services anywhere in its network. Another factor in the selection was the BLC platform's Ethernet Protection Switching (EPS), which will provide failover protection in certain geographic locations where Blackfoot does not have full fiber rings.
"The BLC has a very elegant and graceful architecture that will enable us to deliver new services and grow our subscriber base easily and cost-effectively," according to Martin. "An Ethernet/IP network is much cheaper to install and maintain and promises to help us maintain a competitive edge now and into the future."
Blackfoot plans to upgrade more than 20 remote sites over the next three years with BLC 6000. To date, the BLC platform has been installed in three locations and is delivering IP voice service to their subscribers.
"The installation of the first three BLC 6000s went flawlessly," Martin continued. "We installed them and turned up service in only 1.5 days, less than half the time it would have taken with our previous loop carriers."
During the initial phase of the BLC 6000 deployment, Blackfoot will deliver voice and broadband data to its residential and business subscribers. As the deployment progresses they plan to add streaming Internet video and/or TelcoTV to their service offerings.
"Blackfoot is known in the industry as a thought leader," said Russ Sharer, vice president of sales and marketing for Occam Networks. "We are pleased that such a progressive organization has selected our products to help them meet the challenges of growing competition over the next five years."
About The Blackfoot Telecommunications Group
Established in 1954 by residents of Missoula, Lake and Powell counties, Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative (Blackfoot) offers a full range of telecommunications services to its members. Named after the Blackfoot River for much of the territory it serves, Blackfoot offers services to 22 exchanges, covering 6,580 square miles within a six-county region in western Montana and one county in central Idaho. The Board of Trustees has nine members from throughout the area that Blackfoot services. The Blackfoot group of companies employs more than 180 Montanans and is headquartered in Missoula, MT.
About Occam Networks Inc.
Occam Networks Inc. develops and markets innovative Broadband Loop Carrier networking equipment that enables telephone companies to deliver voice, data and video services. Based on Ethernet and Internet Protocol (IP) technologies, Occam's equipment allows telecommunications service providers to profitably deliver traditional phone services, as well as advanced voice-over-IP, residential and business broadband, and digital television services through a single, all-packet access network. Occam is headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif. Additional information can be found at www.occamnetworks.com.
Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative will once again send two local high school
juniors to Washington D.C. The 10th Annual Foundation for Rural Service
Youth Tour is just around the corner and Blackfoot will send two students
to represent Western Montana.
Students will gain a first-hand look at the telecommunications industry,
and the legislative and governmental processes by visiting Congress, the
Federal Communications Commission and other government agencies. Participants
will also tour famous landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Smithsonian
Institution, Lincoln Memorial, US Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery,
Washington Cathedral and the Supreme Court. Lots of fun is also planned
since there are one-hundred students attending from across the country.
The scholarship is an all expense paid trip with the Youth Tour starting
on June 5th and ending on June 9th. Interested high-school juniors, currently
living in a Blackfoot exchange need to complete the following requirements
and mail them to Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, Attention: Mary Kelly,
1221 N. Russell, Missoula, MT 59808.
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