| ConnectME views this
initiative as a significant step forward in meeting our
goal to expand broadband access throughout the entire
state, and especially in the most rural, unserved areas
of Maine. Sewall is the logical choice to be our consultant.
Sewall understands the broadband challenges the State
faces, has the technical abilities needed to meet our
requirements, and shares our commitment to advancing broadband
as a strategic pillar of economic development. |
| Phillip Lindley,
The ConnectME Authority |
|
|
Developing Broadband in Maine
The ConnectME Authority
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009
was signed into law to create jobs, spur economic activity,
and drive the adoption of new technologies that build our
global competitive advantage. Major investment under the act
is targeted to infrastructure repair and remediation and to
the expansion of broadband and wireless service.
The US, once viewed as a high technology economy, has fallen
significantly behind global contemporaries in the area of
high speed communications systems. The demand for broadly
available, interoperable high-speed communication technologies
has increased in almost all aspects of daily life, from interstate
commerce to health, education, and emergency response. Recent
examples of a failing system are evident in our poor response
to the 9-11 attacks and the devastation created by HurricaneKatrina.
In both, communications systems did not support the needs
of emergency responders, creating additional loss of life
and property.
To address the broadband challenge in Maine, the State legislature
established the ConnectME Authority in 2007. The Authority's
mission--to increase and improve the delivery of high-speed
internet and wireless communications systems--specified that
the Authority identify areas unserved or under-served by broadband
capabilities and expand availability with sufficient bandwidth,
synchronicity, reliability, and security to meet the needs
of Maine businesses and agencies, educational institutions
and consumers. Since then, the Authority has awarded more
than $2.7 million in grants and funded 19 major infrastructure
buildout projects, developing service to unserved communities
across the State.
The Authority's task at the outset was to identify the location
of existing infrastructure in the State and to track changes
in its condition and ownership. To assist in this effort,
the Authority selected Sewall as GIS mapping consultant in
July 2009. Sewall, working with the Authority and broadband
internet service providers, has since launched a three-year
project to identify and map the locations of services, georeferencing
information on the method of delivery and speed of these services.
Funded in part by a $1.25 million grant from the National
Telecommunications and Information Adminstration (NTIA), an
FCC-administered federal program, and the USDA Rural Utilities
Service, Sewall is currently engaged in creating a broadband
service map of Maine that will support the Authority's mission
while contributing to a national map for broadband availability.
To help shape broadband service in Maine:
- Test the connection speed of your internet service online.
The data will be used to verify map and other information
and to establish a long-term plan for broadband service
statewide: ConnectME
Speed Test →
- Answer our 10-minute online survey on the availability
and use of high speed internet at your location. This information
will be used to verify locations at which this service is
provided: ConnectME
Online Survey →
For more information
→
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