Why Businesses Choose Vision Net for Advanced Telecom Solutions 

For 29 years, Vision Net has been a trusted provider of advanced telecommunications services. We've grown from a Montana-based company to a nationwide force, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to businesses of all sizes. 

At Vision Net, we pride ourselves on delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive business growth and efficiency. Here’s a closer look at some of our key services: 

Why Choose Vision Net? 

Looking Ahead 

Vision Net is committed to providing innovative and reliable solutions that keep your business connected and thriving. We focus on building strong partnerships with our clients, understanding their unique needs, and delivering exceptional service. 

Get in Touch 

Ready to elevate your business connectivity? Contact Vision Net today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business achieve its full potential. 

How Next-Generation 9-1-1 is Transforming Emergency Response 

Imagine an emergency: a fire breaks out at your home, or you witness a car crash on the highway. Every second counts, and a clear line of communication with emergency services is crucial. Thankfully, 9-1-1 systems are constantly evolving to meet the demands of our increasingly mobile and tech-dependent world. 

Gone are the days of clunky landlines and unreliable call routing. Today, Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) technology is transforming emergency response, offering a lifeline with features that would have been science fiction just a decade ago. 

Here's what NG9-1-1 brings to the table: 

"NG9-1-1 is a game-changer for emergency response," said Bill Daniels, Vision Net's 9-1-1 Supervisor. "The increased data and situational awareness gives dispatchers and first responders a major advantage in saving lives. We're working hard to make sure that our PSAPs, people, and networks are ready for the challenges NG-911 brings." 

The Future of 9-1-1 

NG9-1-1 is rolling out across the United States (as well as around the world), but the potential is limitless. Imagine a future where dispatchers can receive real-time medical data from wearable devices during a medical emergency, or even utilize AI-powered translation services to bridge language barriers. 

These advancements are a testament to the ongoing efforts to improve emergency response systems. With NG9-1-1, help is truly just a tap or message away, giving you peace of mind knowing that even in the most critical situations, you have a reliable lifeline to connect with those who can help. 

Vision Net is at the forefront of implementing NG9-1-1, ensuring communities across the state and beyond benefit from this life-saving technology. Contact us here to learn how we can help your community on the road to NG9-1-1. 

VoIP vs UCaaS: Which one is best for your business?

For over 20 years, small to medium-sized businesses have embraced VoIP to replace outdated phone systems and as technology has improved, VoIP has evolved into a next-generation technology that provides seamless integration between internet and voice.

Developed in the 1970s, VoIP technology began to be widely used in the 1990s, leading to the development and practical application of UCaaS for next-generation voice, video, and more.      

Vision Net provides VoIP, UCaaS, and Microsoft Teams Integrated services and since no two businesses have the same needs, we design robust and secure systems and work with our clients to find the right technology solution.

Many organizations have strategic reasons for unifying their business communication with a cloud-based solution and will see the best ROI with Vision Net’s UCaaS. However, other businesses have unique needs that are best met by Vision Net’s VoIP.

As a business telecommunications company in Montana for over 28 years, Vision Net understands the needs of small and medium sized businesses throughout the region. We work with our clients to find the best solution for their needs and within their budget, and we’re here to help you determine the best solution for your business.

Vision Net’s VoIP is implemented on-site through your broadband connection, rather than outdated telephone cables. VoIP services can be managed in-house or delivered as a cloud-based service; Vision Net’s agility allows businesses to determine their best management method.

5 Reasons Why VoIP Is Ideal for Businesses Seeking Simple and Affordable Phone Calling:

  1. Significant cost savings on interoffice calling, long-distance, and international calling.
  2. Simple phone line management.
  3. Cost-effective management.
  4. Automated call distribution, voice recognition, and remote phone lines management.
  5. As your business grows, you can scale from VoIP to UCaaS.

UCaaS is defined by as-a-Service apps that are hosted and delivered by a cloud communication tool and as a Unifying communication tool for a streamlined user interface. Vision Net’s UCaaS is delivered through our Unified Communications platform. Adopting Vision Net’s UCaaS will lead to remarkable cost savings and productivity gains.

UCaaS: The Top 5 Needs It Addresses for Businesses:

  1. Video features including video conferencing, web conferencing, and screen sharing.
  2. Simple communication and management across multiple sites or locations.
  3. Developing strong business continuity and disaster management processes including broadcast via voice phones, instant messages, text, and email.
  4. Increase productivity and decrease error by integrating data across apps.
  5. Improve the customer experience by unifying channels including chat, email, and phone.

One of the most practical features of UCaaS missing from VoIP are video communications. If your employees work remotely, travel expenses are a concern, or teams work in different offices, video has benefits that will deliver a strong ROI. 93% of communication is nonverbal, so video could mean fewer miscommunications, 30% less on business travel, and greater collaboration between teams. For many companies, video is the deciding factor between VoIP or UCaaS since video conferencing lets your employees conduct interactive meetings, share screens, connect with and help clients troubleshoot issues in record time.

VoIP and UCaaS both provide flexibility that businesses need. UCaaS offers extensive flexibility in services, especially if you partner with vendors who offer dedicated port connection and with VoIP, you can instantly add and subtract phone lines, and offer features to employees on an as-needed basis. We built our VoIP and Unified Communication Suite on our network with reliability and redundancy as priorities with a knowledgeable staff to ensure your network is proactively monitored and threats are eliminated before they can attack your network.

As an additional feature to the Vision Voice suite of products Vision Net offers Microsoft Teams integration where Vision Net handles the call origination and termination through MS Teams rather than relying on Microsoft as your phone provider. The benefits are our redundant network optimized for call and video applications and the ability to overlay services and advanced features such as call center, hunt groups, call recording, call reporting and faxing.

Still not sure which option will work best for your business? Contact Vision Net to learn about the functionality that will work best for your business.

Empowering Business with Reliable Connectivity

Connectivity may seem like just another utility, but having the right network is now an indispensable part of running a successful business. As companies shift more operations online and customer expectations for seamless digital experiences continue to rise, reliable internet and phone systems have evolved from being mere conveniences to absolute necessities.

But not all connectivity is created equal. Laggy video conferences, spotty VoIP calls, and sluggish cloud application performance can wreck workflows and frustrate employees and customers. That's why at Vision Net, we custom design communications solutions focused on maximizing uptime, speed, and reliability.

Here are three ways we empower organizations with solutions they can build their business on:

1. Proactive Infrastructure Monitoring

We don't wait for outages to occur. With our round-the-clock, year-round network management, we proactively identify and address vulnerabilities before they can disrupt services.

2. Redundant connections

We provide failover and alternative routing so if one connection goes down, traffic instantly shifts to another. This prevents downtime.

3. Reliable connectivity

It's just as important as other utilities like electricity and water. But unlike those services, your network infrastructure can either empower your business or constrain its success.

Let's discuss how Vision Net can customize a connectivity solution to make your business more resilient and productive. With the right telecom partner, you can count on the network support your organization needs to thrive and stay competitive.

The connectivity your business truly deserves is just a phone call away! Reach out to us at 406-384-6320.

Vision Net CEO Discusses the Future of Cybersecurity and Tech with KRTV

Our CEO Rob Worden recently sat down with KRTV to discuss the future of telecommunications and cybersecurity. This insightful interview provides a window into how Vision Net aims to enable businesses to thrive through transformative tech.

Watch the full interview below with Rob Worden to learn more about how Vision Net can help your enterprise safeguard critical systems, leverage technology, and reach new heights.

You can read the full interview here: KRTV NEWS

ACCELERATING BUSINESS SUCCESS: UNVEILING THE HIDDEN BENEFITS OF VISION NET FIBER INTERNET 

In today’s dynamic business environment, Vision Net emerges as a trusted B2B service provider, offering a range of distinctive benefits that set it apart.

1. Seamless Multi-Location Connectivity 

Vision Net’s Fiber Infrastructure enables businesses to seamlessly connect their multiple locations, using any protocol, ETS, MPLS, EVPL, or Internet, fostering collaboration and streamlining operations.

Whether your business has remote teams or branch offices spread across different regions, Vision Net’s robust fiber infrastructure ensures reliable and high-bandwidth connectivity.

This unified network experience enhances communication, facilitates data sharing, and simplifies centralized network management, transcending geographical barriers. 


How Vision Net Helps: At Vision Net, we specialize in designing custom solutions that enable businesses to connect their various locations effortlessly. With our connectivity services, businesses can achieve efficient inter-office communication, secure data sharing, and centralized network management, irrespective of geographical constraints. 

2. Enhanced Cybersecurity 

In an era of escalating cyber threats, Vision Net’s Network places a strong emphasis on ensuring the security of businesses’ digital assets.

Leveraging the inherent security benefits of fiber-optic connections, Vision Net implements robust encryption protocols, DDoS protection, advanced firewalls, and comprehensive security measures to protect against cyber threats.

This proactive approach safeguards businesses’ sensitive data and helps maintain data integrity. 

 
How Vision Net Helps: We prioritize the security of your business at Vision Net. Our dedicated cybersecurity team continuously monitors and fortifies our network, keeping it resilient against potential vulnerabilities. By partnering with us, businesses can rest assured that their valuable data is protected by our stringent security measures. 

3. Uninterrupted Business Continuity 

Vision Net’s Network offers unparalleled reliability, ensuring uninterrupted business continuity, even in challenging circumstances.

With redundant connections and proactive monitoring, Vision Net minimizes downtime, allowing businesses to maintain seamless operations.

This robust connectivity empowers businesses to deliver consistent services, enhance customer satisfaction, and mitigate the impact of unforeseen events. 

How Vision Net Helps: We understand the criticality of uninterrupted connectivity for businesses. At Vision Net, our robust network infrastructure, coupled with redundant connections, ensures that your business remains operational, even during unexpected disruptions. Additionally, we can provide comprehensive disaster recovery solutions and backup options to further safeguard your business’s continuity. 

4. Dedicated Business Support 

At Vision Net, we believe in building strong, long-term partnerships with our clients. We go beyond providing services by offering dedicated business support to address specific needs and challenges.

Our experienced professionals are readily available to offer technical assistance, address concerns promptly, and guide businesses in leveraging the full potential of fiber internet for their operations. 

How Vision Net Helps: Our commitment to exceptional customer service sets us apart. We assign dedicated account managers to work closely with businesses, ensuring their connectivity needs are met efficiently. With 24/7 support, proactive network monitoring, and ongoing consultation, we empower businesses to optimize their operations and achieve their goals. 

Vision Net’s Network offers unique advantages that empower businesses to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Through seamless multi-location connectivity, enhanced cybersecurity, dedicated internet access, uninterrupted business continuity, and dedicated business support, Vision Net redefines the B2B telecom services experience. By partnering with Vision Net, businesses can unlock the full potential of fiber internet and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries. 

Connect with Vision Net’s network specialists today and experience the exceptional benefits of our reliable connectivity solutions for your business success. 

High speed broadband

More and more, reliable fast internet access is an essential service. At Vision Net, we understand this need and work to connect small internet providers in the state to the rest of the world. As a ‘middle mile carrier,’ Vision Net’s role is to route internet traffic securely across our network to where it needs to go."

Decades ago, “the internet used to be just a fun thing to have at home, and now it’s a critical service,” Gary Evans. Vision Net’s Operations Manager said. “911 is riding over our network for a good portion of the state. We carry the 911 traffic, one of the things we do behind the scenes. So, if our network goes down, a lot of people couldn't call 911.”

Currently, Montana is one of the worst states for internet connectivity; “there's a lot of dirt between light bulbs in Montana. We’re just one little town with long streets,” said Geoff Feiss, the General Manager of the Montana Telecommunications Association. The association represents locally owned service providers in the state.

Montana is “a big state, not a lot of consumers. It’s very hard to serve. It’s just an expensive place to serve,” Feiss said. The infrastructure bill being considered by the federal government could help Montana’s rural communities secure high speed internet access. “It would provide $42.5 billion for broadband infrastructure investment,” Feiss said.

A report from 2012 completed by the Federal Communications Commission found that 6% of the population still lacks access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds. In rural areas, nearly 25% of the population lacks access to this service. Feiss and Evans hope they can help bring more access and better connection to people who need it, with fiber being the desired option. “Fiber optics is the Cadillac, the gold standard of broadband technology,” Feiss said. “It’s a reliable medium and it happens to be able to deliver as much bandwidth as you can consume.”

Vision Net remains committed to delivering secure high-speed internet to keep our state’s economy growing and providing businesses with the tools they need to flourish. Watch the special report by KRTV to learn more.

Montana Telecommunications Association's Geoff Feiss

As part of Vision Net's commitment to statewide broadband, we are proud members of the Montana Telecommunications Association. We sat down with General Manager Geoff Feiss to learn about the partnership between Vision Net and MTA.

Tell us about MTA
We represent the rural broadband providers in Montana; not the large national providers. We have 11 member companies, and they range from companies with fewer than 1,000 customers to more than 20,000 customers. Our member companies cover about 70% of Montana’s land mass and employ over 1,000 people across the state, with close to $100,000,000 invested annually across the state.

Tell us about the Vision Net/MTA partnership
It is a close and wonderful relationship. My member companies are your shareholders and beyond that, I like to brag about Vision Net’s advanced communications infrastructure. Recently, Vision Net hosted congressional staffers to show the Broadband Access management system Vision Net operates. MTA enjoys showing off Vision Net’s NOC, which was a highlight of the congressional staffers’ tour.

Geoff Feiss speaks at the 2021 Share the Vision Conference

What does 5G look like for Montana?
For Montana, 5G offers potential, but we need to differentiate the types of speeds we can deploy throughout the state. We mostly deploy mid-band 5G in Montana that propagates very well and provides the coverage needed. We connect the transmitters throughout the state with our fiber network to provide connectivity throughout the state, with a concentration on the urban areas of the state. Rural connectivity remains a priority for MTA.

Has the Vision Net/MTA partnership benefitted Montana communities?
A lot! Vision Net is an internet access provider that offers coordination between MTA and Montana communities. In your interview with INDATEL, Mel highlighted the advantages for small rural providers to be a part of the national map. We collaborative and aggregate our services, and Vision Net uses that aggregation to expand and leverage what small companies can do into a larger national footprint.

What are the results from the Vision Net/MTA partnership?
I ask Vision Net to help out in the public policy arena, especially for the state’s 911 network. Since Vision Net operates the state’s e911 network, and since I am on the 911 council, I reach out to Vision Net for operational advice for public policy.

What does the future hold for Vision Net and MTA?
We exist to help create an environment wherein our member companies can grow and continue to deliver broadband to the communities they serve. We pave the way from an economic and political environment for our member companies to exceed their customer’s expectations. We remove obstacles where we can, so that they can continue to deliver broadband. For example, this year, we passed legislation that allocates $275,000,000 of funding for broadband grants to expand broadband throughout Montana. And since by some measures Montana ranks at the bottom nationally for broadband access, Connect Montana was enacted to provide funding from the American Rescue Plan to improve broadband deployment throughout Montana. MTA strives to lift Montana out of the ‘basement’ and into the middle of the pack for broadband connectivity nationwide. The recent legislation represents one of the most progressive and robust opportunities to expand broadband infrastructure throughout the state.

What additional insights can you offer?
Keep up the good work, Vision Net!

Watch Geoff's full video here:

Managed WiFi: the cost-effective solution for your business' success

For many business owners, managing their WiFi network is in itself a full-time job. Small businesses without a dedicated IT department might feel overwhelmed by the demands of managing Wi-Fi that delivers a secure and robust connection that covers the entire office, building, or campus. Even large businesses can struggle with managing the signal and scale of a complex WiFi deployment. To proactively protect your business and ensure your success, Vision Net offers an all-in-one WiFi as a Service platform (managed WiFi subscription) that includes complete managed network services.

Unmanaged WiFi networks were a popular option in years past, and today, some businesses rely on an unmanaged WiFi model with multiple access points with low bandwidth speeds and a few dedicated devices. A typical advantage of unmanaged WiFi is lower upfront costs, but when downtime, on-site IT staff, productivity, and scalability is factored in, a managed WiFi solution is the more cost-effective model for the long-term success of your business.

Stay ahead of your competition with Vision Net's management services.

Vision Net’s managed WiFi provides your business with a secure wireless network that allows your teams, employees and facility guests to connect through multiple access points across various locations. Our secure cloud-based technology gives you the peace of mind to operate your business instead of worrying about managing, controlling, and troubleshooting issues that arise with WiFi deployments. And since no business is the same, and each business’ needs are different, Vision Net provides customized solutions that fit your needs and budget through the use of advanced mapping and signal distribution software.

Coupling the managed WiFi network with Vision Net’s next-generation network means we can provide your business with the tools and options that deliver the best technology solution for your needs and budget. Our multi-vendor, multi-location Tier 1 connections guarantee high speed, ultra-reliable Internet connections, and unprecedented flexibility in building and maintaining your network.

Supporting emerging and cutting-edge technologies, our wholesale and network services include Ethernet wholesale, Dedicated Internet, point-to-point, and multipoint wireless connections, SD-WAN as well as one of the most robust Internet Access networks in the region. Vision Net can completely manage your IT infrastructure to ensure your business remains ahead of your competitors. Contact Vision Net today to learn how we can proactively manage your network.

Weighing the Advantages of 5G: What’s in it for rural states?

by Corey Jensen

A friend reached out to me recently asking about 5G and what it could mean for his business. His question was timely, and it’s a topic I’ve been thinking about quite a bit lately. You can’t turn on the TV, scan social media or open a newspaper or magazine without facing a litany of ads touting 5G as the next best thing.

But is 5G all it’s cracked up to be? And if it is, what does it mean for those of us living and working in a rural state like Montana?

Let’s start with the basics. 5G mobile network technology is the next iteration of wireless connectivity, designed to deliver faster and more reliable service. Notice the word mobile. Like its predecessor 4G, 5G is the connection between a tower and your device, be it a cell phone, smartwatch, or tablet. Proximity to that tower is critical. The best estimates suggest that you need to be within 1,500 feet of a tower to fully reap the rewards. The best scenario—and the one touted most often—is that 5G promises a futuristic landscape of autonomous cars, enhanced machine-to-machine communication, and manufacturing plants run entirely by AI-controlled robots. If it all feels a little bit like Star Trek meets the Jetsons, that’s because it is.

Building out a 5G network and the many towers required to support it won’t be cheap. Large mobile wireless carriers will need to ask themselves if it makes financial sense to invest in this infrastructure in less densely populated areas where usage will be low. More specifically, how long will it take to earn back that investment and begin reaping a profit? It doesn’t take an MBA to realize that for many of these companies, the better investment will be in larger, more densely- populated urban areas.

If this sounds like bad news, let me offer some good news.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), through several funding mechanisms, is funneling billions of dollars into shoring up broadband services in rural America. This means that high-speed broadband fiber will soon be accessible to large swaths of rural areas. For many Montanans, this presents a significant improvement over what they’ve been relying on, which is often spotty connectivity and slower speeds. Plus, fiber is ideal in rural settings because the signal doesn’t degrade as it moves away from its source. In other words, there’s no need to be close to a cell tower.

This strengthens the case for fiber in rural settings. Vision Net has already made key fiber investments in Helena and Billings to address exactly these issues, providing a fast and reliable connection for businesses and schools in the area.

This isn’t to say 5G won’t eventually arrive in Montana, but it does seem likely that rural states such as ours may be a bit further down the receiving line. And when it does arrive, you can count on the urban areas of Montana getting 5G well before our rural communities.

In all reality, a mix of fiber and 5G wireless-based broadband will be available across our state for all to utilize. For example, a bank would rely on fiber to run its operating and business processing systems internally, while client-facing services that use apps and websites might leverage 5G to provide a rich customer experience.

So, how will you position your business for this upcoming revolution?

Whether it’s fiber, 5G, or both, my advice is to think through how your business can monetize these bandwidth and connectivity improvements and how best to position your firm to be ready for them when they arrive. In my friend’s case, warehouse automation may provide a much-needed solution to his ongoing challenge to fill empty factory positions.

Another suggestion is to observe how others in your industry are already leveraging broadband and begin formulating your own plan from there. Farmers and ranchers across Montana, for example, may want to look at how drones and other broadband technologies are positively impacting the ag industry, with better monitoring systems for land, livestock, and irrigation that deliver improved efficiencies and cost savings.

And you may want to ponder this question: What are some fiber-backed internal processes that could be implemented to support new technology opportunities when they arrive?

Thomas Edison said “Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.” I think it’s fair to say opportunity abounds in the telecom space. Planning for both the short term and long term will be key to meeting this opportunity head-on.