UNITY – Direct Communications, formerly known as UniTel, has been awarded a Reach Me Line Extension grant by the Maine Connectivity Authority to utilize its existing broadband network to expand high speed fiber in the towns of Burnham, Dixmont, Newburgh, Thorndike, Troy and Unity.

This award was part of $20 million awarded to internet service providers that will expand high-speed broadband to 73 communities across the state, according to a news release from Jayne Sullivan, regional development and community liaison with Direct Communications.

The Reach Me program was designed to leverage and optimize existing ISP infrastructure with a focus on deploying funding where it is needed most. The MCA worked directly with ISPs to identify portions of their existing networks that would benefit from line extensions. The partnership between MCA, Direct Communications, and the local communities will bring Fiber-to-the-Premise, or “FTTP” broadband, to 1,373 homes and businesses in these areas.

“We are excited to partner with the MCA and our local towns to extend broadband services to the most rural parts of the communities we serve.” said Direct Communications’ General Manager Tim May.