Legislation 1995 legislation established the Montana Blue Ribbon Telecommunications Task Force to examine Montana's telecommunications infrastructure and make recommendations before September 1996 to the legislature and governor. The task force will broadly examine telecommunications and its impact on the state and is specifically directed to consider the concept of universal science. Four of its members come from the state legislature and eleven were appointed by the governor from telecommunications users and providers in the state. Applications Public Access Big Sky Telegraph, operating since 1988, is a network of bulletin boards that serve Montana from a hub at Western Montana College in Dillon. The network connects school-based bulletin boards to provide an information network for students, communities, and organizations.
Users can dial in through a computer modem for free and take classes online.
Online instructional files and exercises have been designed to provide rural schools with shared resources previously available only to suburban and city schools. Users can also obtain free community news and information, chat online, and read about classes and events at Western Montana College. The system uses text only and is easy to navigate, with abundant online help. Big Sky Telegraph is funded in part by US West and Western Montana College. The Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services has developed an automated child support system that cross-references state computer databases.