Our Mission
To provide superior and competitive telecommunications while contributing to the well-being of our community.
Our Team
At Access Montana, our people are our greatest asset. This hard-working and dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional customer service, embracing new technology, and supporting our local communities. With combined experience totaling centuries in the telecom industry, you can be assured your service will be installed, maintained and upgraded professionally and thoroughly.
We are proud to say that our owners, management team, and employees all live in, work in, and enthusiastically support the communities we serve.
Community Focus
We're committed to the communities we serve because they're our home too.
Technical Excellence
We embrace new technologies to provide the best possible service.
Customer Dedication
Your satisfaction is our priority, with professional service every step of the way.
Committed to Our Community
We help the communities we serve to thrive. We support many non-profits and events in Western Montana with time, talent and treasure. Our staff are your neighbors, serving on non-profit boards, coaching your kid's team and helping raise money for those in need.
We contribute to and participate in many boards and events locally:
Making a difference together
Our History
Access Montana and the Preston family's telecom roots in NW Montana span three generations. From a small, rural telephone company to a high-tech communications service provider, Access Montana has helped build the technology road in Western Montana.
1934
Grant and Garnet Preston acquire Hot Springs Tel. Co. (HSTC- now operating as a subtending "sister company")
1954
Jay W. Preston hired as 1st GM of Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative
1960
Jay & Beth Preston buy Ronan Tel. Co. (RTC)
60s & early 70s
Ronan Telephone Company upgrades dial party lines
1978
Jay Wilson Preston joins Ronan Telephone Company
80s & early 90s
Ronan Telephone Company implements "host/remote" private telephone line service
1995
Ronan Telephone Company launches dial-up internet service
late 90s
Ronan Telephone Company expands internet throughout Lake, Sanders & Flathead counties as Access Montana
1999
Ronan Telephone Company launches DSL broadband internet
2001
Prestons form holding company, CommunityTel, Inc. (CT)
2002
Ronan Telephone Company buys 3 FCC 700 mhz. license areas in Western Montana in collaboration with Blackfeet Nation
2006
CommunityTel founded "Oki Communications" serving Browning, MT, in partnership with Blackfeet Tribe's subsidiary, Siyeh Corp.
2007
CommunityTel acquires CATV system in Lake, Sanders & Mineral counties operated as Western MT CommunityTel, Inc.
2009
Ronan Telephone Company launches IPTV
2010
•Montana West ProjectRonan Telephone Company launches "Montana West Project", a public-private partnership funded by the federal ARRA of 2009 ("Obama's Stimulus Bill") with match capital provided by Ronan Telephone Company, consisting of RTC's existing Mission Valley backbone fiber optic network. Montana West is a $19M fiber optic "middle mile" data network providing alternative next generation data transport and end user services in Missoula, Lake, Sanders, Flathead and Glacier counties on NW Montana, including services on both the Flathead and Blackfeet Reservations. Montana West was the only BTOP infrastructure project funded by the ARRA in Montana.
2011
CommunityTel joins MT Sky Networks, Inc. acquiring CATV system in Libby & Troy in Lincoln Co.
2017
CommunityTel sells ownership in "Oki Communications" to Siyeh Corp.
Our Values
At Access Montana, we're not just a service provider — we're neighbors. Our Montana values shape every part of our work, from how we build our network to how we support the people who rely on it.
We’re proud to serve Montana communities with care. Our mission is to keep families, small businesses, and emergency services connected with reliable, local service.
We speak plainly and honestly—no hidden charges, no corporate jargon. Just straightforward answers from people who care.
We’re always working to bring the latest advancements in internet and telecommunications to Montana, ensuring our customers stay ahead in an ever-changing digital world.
We engineer smarter networks—from fiber to wireless—so every Montanan can count on speed and reliability, even in rural areas.
Our customers are neighbors, not numbers. When you call, you reach someone real—someone ready to help and go the extra mile to make things right.
Honesty, hard work, and respect guide everything we do—from new installs to late-night support. We do it right, and we stand by our work.
Access Montana being a local company- who supports our communities in ways no other big corporation could- keeps me loyal. The more people who support our local businesses the better Access Montana will thrive. And in return, we will continue to see better prices, better services and more support to our tight-knit community... Access Montana has great customer service with undeniable TV, internet and phone service. Help them help you. Be a subscriber today!
— John F.