Vision Net: A Case Study

The Self Funding Network - How Vision Net's Distributed Access Tandem Switch Fueled a Next Generation IP Network

In the fiercely demanding world of telecommunications, it is sometimes better to form partnerships in order to more effectively compete and serve customers' emerging communications needs than to attempt to do it alone. Such is the case in Montana, when a group of independent telephone companies joined forces to form Vision Net in 1995. Not only does Vision Net centralize technical and operations expertise and the wide area network on behalf of its owners, but it has been able to negotiate better terms from their suppliers by aggregating their collective needs.

The case study examines how Vision Net was able to claim access revenues from the large incumbent IXC on behalf of its geographically dispersed owner-operators through an investment in an access tandem switch with Metaswitch. As a result of rapid migration of traffic onto Metaswitch, Vision Net was able to fuel investment in a next generation IP Network and deliver positive ROI in a mere 22 months versus its original 31 month projection.

This network now delivers greater bandwidth and QoS with SLAs for the diverse IP traffic types traversing it. It also stands prepared to support its operators to deliver IPTV and VoIP to its end users as well as IP Peering to drive further cost savings.