• October 23, 2024

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The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is launching a new program next month to provide free Starlink equipment to connect 9,000 unserved locations. The equipment portion of the program would cost the state approximately $5.4 million if all eligible locations took the offer, but that would not include Maine’s offer to provide free shipping and free professional installation.

To more quickly connect its remaining residents and businesses who currently don’t have a reliable wireless network, Maine has turned to low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband.

“We have a lot of space and not a lot of people. We also have a lot of people who did not grow up in the age of the internet,” said MCA President Andrew Butcher. “The locations we’re making this LEO equipment available are by definition unconnected.”

MCA said that the state would notify residents of their eligibility and verify their Starlink applications as quickly as possible, though it noted that the pace would depend on the level of demand.

The state will provide an application window with a rolling open enrollment process, rather than a firm deadline.

Maine’s plan to provide internet for hard-to-reach locations falls under the state’s new Working Internet ASAP Program. Maine plans to coordinate the bulk purchase of LEO satellite hardware and service reservations from Starlink in November, hoping to close the digital divide for the remaining 1.5 percent of locations with no access to the internet.

“Maine has more work to do to build out our broadband infrastructure, but by the end of this year, everyone in our state will have the opportunity to access a reliable connection.” said Maine Governor Janet Mills.

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Sources:

lightreading.com/satellite/maine-taps-into-starlink-to-bring-broadband-to-unserved-areas

fierce-network.com/broadband/maine-thinks-starlink-can-help-connect-its-unserved-quickly