MTA Covid-19 Response

MTA members are pulling out all the stops to ensure their customers get connected, and stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. Demand for access to high performance broadband has seen dramatic increases across the board since the pandemic began. As schools closed in March and April, demand for online learning jumped. So did demand for telemedicine, increasing as much as 8,000 percent or more since March. Working from home has become the norm, rather than the exception. Online access to government services, as well as entertainment has ballooned. What used to be considered “peak” demand for Internet services now is normal. Additionally, demand for broadband connectivity has seen increased usage of both downstream and upstream links, as more two-way videoconferencing occurs. Fiber-based networks have proven to be most resilient.

Throughout this spike in demand, MTA members have continued to deliver quality broadband service to their consumers in rural Montana. Moreover, they have rushed broadband connections—usually at no cost to the customer—to households with students, educators, patients and workers who now are staying at home. They have upgraded broadband service to residents who need more bandwidth—again at no additional cost to those consumers facing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID pandemic. MTA members have agreed not to terminate service or to impose late fees on consumers who are finding it difficult to keep up with their bills as a result of COVID. Other MTA members are opening free Wi-Fi hot spots wherever needed or donating devices to students for online learning.

These initiatives cost money. MTA members cannot sustain their operations indefinitely as they extend service to customers for free and waive or extend customer payments. For these reasons, MTA is asking Congress for support for these companies as they continue to go the extra mile to serve rural Montana during the pandemic.

Toole County Forward moving forward with next step

That’s how it works in Toole County! Through the efforts of city and county officials, local businesses and organizations, local residents and friends who love Shelby and Toole County, nearly $145,000 has been contributed to assist local businesses in re-opening and re-investing in their businesses!   Read more

July 22, 2020

Working From Home in Montana Possibly More Attractive Than Ever

For years, economic developers have touted the possibilities for people to live in Montana and work for companies that aren’t here. The COVID-19 shutdown has, in some ways, offered proof of that concept.  Read more

July 6, 2020

3 Rivers wants to thank you for your patience as we work through the COVID-19 pandemic.

We know we have been asking a lot of you lately—whether that’s by doing business with us online and over the phone instead of coming into the office or self-installing Internet equipment (sometimes with a little help ─ we’ve had several customers pick up equipment left by their front door and install it by following instructions from a tech communicating via cell phone outside the window!).  Read more

April 16, 2020

Blackfoot Commits to Extend FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge

Ensuring our customers and communities remain connected is critical in extraordinary times. On Thursday, April 30, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai urged broadband and telephone providers to continue service, waive late fees and keep WiFi hotspots...read more

May 14, 2020

Blackfoot Assisting Montana Schools with Remote Learning

As part of our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to helping our communities lessen any challenges during this difficult time. This includes assisting our schools with remote learning. The Electronic Equipment...read more

May 4, 2020

NEMONT TELEPHONE COOPERATIVE INC. PLEDGES TO KEEP AMERICANS CONNECTED

Nemont joins Federal Communications Commission’s 60-day pledge

To prevent customers from losing connectivity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Nemont is joining the Federal Communications Commission’s pledge to Keep Americans Connected.

As the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to spread across the country, thousands of American businesses and schools are making the decision to move to remote work and online instruction. To ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a result of these exceptional circumstances, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has urged telecommunications companies across the country to take the Keep Americans Connected Pledge.  Read more

March 17, 2020

Access Montana Covid-19 Message

Access Montana values the health and safety of our team members and our customers greatly. We are closely monitoring the constantly changing events that surround the Coronavirus threat (COVID-19) and are adopting new procedures to help maintain a healthy environment for our team.  Read more

Triangle Communications CoVID-19 Update

In light of the recent global pandemic declared by the World Health Organization; Triangle Communications (Triangle) is transitioning to social distancing of its employees. Starting Tuesday, March 24, our doors will be closed to the public for the foreseeable future. Once the pandemic is under control here in Montana as defined by the State of Montana and CDC, we will open our doors again to the public without a scheduled appointment. Triangle has begun to reduce employee density in the workplace by instituting telecommuting where possible and creating more space between workstations for those that will still be reporting to our facilities.  Read more

March 21, 2020