Gov. Mills’ goal for universal connectivity in Maine is much-needed. Ensuring success will require an effective use of our state’s historic broadband funding.

To use this funding most impactfully, our state must prioritize funding towards broadband infrastructure projects in unserved regions of the state that currently have no access to high-speed internet at all. These communities have the greatest need and deserve assistance before those seeking to build a duplicative network to complement the broadband services their region already has.

I can’t fault communities seeking to upgrade their existing service, but the reality of our situation is that, while our state funding is sizable, it is not infinite. If duplicative projects are given the same priority as areas with no access whatsoever, Maine’s most rural communities will once again be forced to the back of the line and miss out on the connectivity they need for things like remote learning and the various other essential services that the internet provides.

But another critical aspect of this debate is the investments in network upgrades already being done by the private sector. Most recently, one leading provider in the state announced that it’d be investing over $80M to enable the delivery of symmetrical and multiple gigabit speeds across its statewide network.

It will be critical that we complement these investments with state funding toward unserved regions, not duplicative projects that essentially do the same thing while draining available funds for rural, unserved Mainers.

By prioritizing state funding toward regions with the greatest need, we can make Gov. Mills’ pledge for universal connectivity a reality.

Cathy Nadeau

Mount Vernon

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