PORTLAND, Maine — The Camden-based wireless Internet provider Redzone Wireless said it reached its goal to offer connections to 25 percent of households in Maine by year’s end.
The company most recently added service in Ellsworth and Cape Elizabeth, adding to its service to eight other municipalities and islands in Casco Bay to reach about 137,500 households.
Beside its newest areas, Redzone launched service this year in Westbrook, Bath, Camden, Rockland, Augusta, Manchester, Portland, Waterville and Auburn.
The company has not released subscriber information, but the company’s vice president, Michael Forcillo, said in a news release that customer demand “is increasing dramatically as we expand our coverage area.”
The company has a 30-year lease with the University of Maine System for wireless spectrum set aside for educational institutions. It uses cell towers to deliver Internet using radio technology similar to that serving smartphones.
The company has said it seeks eventually to reach 90 percent of the homes and businesses in Maine.
It has gotten help from various state agencies, securing a Pine Tree Development Zone designation in its move from Rockland to Camden and loan insurance from the Finance Authority of Maine for a $4 million loan from Camden National Bank.