Working together to improve access to true high-speed Internet is a critical economic development priority for state and municipal policymakers and business leaders across Maine. As 2015 comes to an end, here is some perspective on where we stand, the good things happening now and where we should guide our efforts in the new year.
First, what is true high-speed Internet? Early in 2015, Maine created a new standard. If you do not have access to download and upload speeds of at least 10 megabits-per-second (“10/10”), you do not have access to true high-speed broadband. Unfortunately, 80 percent of Mainers do not have access to those speeds.
Second, we need to understand “middle mile” and “last mile.” “Middle mile” broadband networks are like the interstate highway system that connects communities and regions. “Last mile” networks are like the streets that go past each house within a community.
Last mile infrastructure is the bigger challenge in Maine. Here’s why: The public-private partnership that built Maine Fiber Co.’s 1,200 mile “Three Ring Binder” fiber-optic network between 2010 and 2012 added a huge, missing piece of middle mile broadband infrastructure. Today, any company can access that fiber on an open-access basis for a reasonable, fixed price.
Dramatically improved access to middle mile fiber is a major step forward for addressing Maine’s last mile challenge. It makes fiber more accessible, affordable and closer to “plug into.” Maine’s rural geography, however, means last mile connections are still a significant practical and financial challenge.
The good news is there are a lot of Maine people working to address those challenges.
— Ellsworth, Islesboro, Old Town, Portland, Sanford and South Portland are all undertaking high-speed municipal Internet network initiatives, and dozens of other communities and organizations are investing time and money on improvements in broadband.
— Competitive broadband projects such as RedZone Wireless’ expanded 4G LTE wireless service and Pioneer Broadband’s “fiber to the home” service in Houlton are gaining subscribers.
— Fairpoint Communications just accepted a whopping $80 million over the next six years from the federal government’s “Connect America Fund,” intended for upgrades to broadband in Maine’s unserved and underserved areas.
— Maine Fiber Co.’s 1,200 mile all-fiber network was completed with a competitively awarded $24.5 million federal grant plus $7 million in private investment and has been significantly expanded to Boston, the Canadian Maritimes and trans-Atlantic routes through additional private investment. While it leases 20,000 miles of fiber to 26 customers, 90 percent of network fiber capacity is still available at competitive, nondiscriminatory prices to any qualified provider who wants to expand service in Maine.
— We (Maine Fiber Co.) also just announced two programs offering deep discounts of up to 57 percent for any qualified company trying to expand last mile broadband service to the most rural parts of Maine, including making fiber available to those companies at no charge for the first two years.
These are all positive steps for improving access to true high-speed broadband and addressing our state’s last mile challenges. What should our priorities be if we want to continue expanding access?
Here are four questions we suggest should be used to judge proposed initiatives and policies:
— Will it result in more Maine people and businesses having access to 10/10 broadband speed (or better)?
— Will it result in more Maine people and businesses paying regionally and nationally competitive rates for competitive Internet speeds?
— Will it encourage investment in competitive, future-oriented fiber optic infrastructure or put resources into past-generation copper networks?
— Finally, are public dollars (local, state or federal) being used in a transparent way that allows overall investments around the state to be planned effectively and efficiently?
If we use these tests to guide us, we will get Maine people and businesses “up to speed” with the true high-speed Internet they need in order to compete and win in the modern economy.
For proof, all we need to do is look to Aroostook and Washington counties. Three years ago, many of those communities had a single broadband provider. Today, many residents and businesses can choose from among four Internet service providers competing for their business based on the speed, price and customer service they offer. We look forward to seeing that kind of progress continue across Maine in 2016 and beyond.
Jeff McCarthy is vice president of business development at Maine Fiber Company LLC, which owns and operates the “Three Ring Binder,” a “middle mile” open-access fiber-optic network that travels 1,200 miles through 176 Maine communities with connections to New Hampshire, Boston, Canada and Europe.