Advanced Communications Technology, Who We Are, What We Do.

Advanced Communications Technology, Who We Are, and What We Do.
By Troy Nissen – IT/ISP Supervisor ACT

The most common question I am asked by people throughout the community is: “ACT? What do they do?” Some people comment that they’ve seen our trucks around town, but still really have no idea of who we are or what we do.

This editorial (of sorts) will provide an explanation of who and what ACT is about, our history, why we are here as well as an overview of what initiatives ACT is pursuing to improve broadband communications access to the Sheridan area.

Our History
Advanced Communications Technology, Inc. (ACT) was established May 5, 1997 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Range Telephone Cooperative, Inc. ACT supports all non-regulated business operations for the Range Telephone Family of Companies which includes Range Telephone Cooperative (Range) located in Forsyth, Montana; RT Communications, Inc. (RT) located in Worland, Wyoming; Dubois Telephone Exchange (DTE) located in Dubois, Wyoming and Advanced Communications Technology (ACT) located in Sheridan, Wyoming.

ACT was operated by Range Telephone Cooperative out of the Range corporate headquarters in Forsyth, MT from its inception in 1997 until 2001. In January 2001 the Range Board of Directors voted to expand ACT’s business operations by establishing a separate company empowered to pursue competitive opportunities throughout Wyoming and southeastern Montana. A new business office was established in Sheridan, Wyoming in July, 2001.

ACT is currently a full-service competitive communications company offering voice, video, data and mobile wireless services throughout Wyoming.

ACT also supports Long Distance, Dial-up, DSL and Satellite Internet, Satellite TV, video teleconferencing, mobile wireless, computer services and video teleconferencing throughout Range Telephone, RT Communications and Dubois Telephone’s serving areas.

ACT is active in the community as an investor in Forward Sheridan and maintains memberships in the Downtown Sheridan Association, the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce and the Bighorn Home Buildings. ACT is a shareholder in Associated Network Partners, Inc. (ANPI), Montana Vision Net and The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC). ACT is also a member of the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA).

Current Events
ACT is in the process of expanding its fiber optic network into South Dakota, facilitating a connection to the South Dakota Networks (SDN) and Northern Hills Transport, LLC. This new fiber network will provide redundant broadband access for northeastern Wyoming as well as an alternate and redundant broadband route for western South Dakota. ACT is engineering a major upgrade to its core Internet network to enhance its end user experience and to provide greater reliability and increased broadband capabilities. ACT is actively researching technologies for establishing a community WI-FI / WIMAX solution, and ACT’s IT team recently launched a new, friendlier version of its web site. The new website can be viewed at www.actaccess.net.

To improve its core offerings; ACT recently announced new products and services that include SPAM and Anti-Virus protection, software to protect your computer from viruses, worms and other security threats. Another product now offered from ACT is a very handy web site building tool, called Building Blocks, that allows even the novice Internet user to build a web site.

Who We Serve
ACT is dedicated to advancing America’s businesses, communities and economy by offering the latest in affordable communications technology provided through a locally owned and operated company.

Our goal is not just customer satisfaction, but customer loyalty. At ACT, we know loyalty comes through trust, dependability, and enjoyment. ACT strives to supply its customers with communications solutions that are dependable and easy to use

ACT provides cutting-edge communications solutions supported by competent, friendly, and resourceful staff – from our customer service representatives and technicians to our management team, ACT promises to be there for its customers.