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Press ReleasesPeninsula Utility for Broadband related releases
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Consolidated Communications Press Release
Consolidated Communications to Deliver Fidium Fiber Internet to 22,000 Rural Maine Homes and Businesses through Connect Maine Partnership $18.3 million NTIA grant enables public private partnership to deliver gigabit fiber to Rangeley Lakes Region, the Blue Hill Peninsula and the Farmington area
MATTOON, Ill. – Feb. 28, 2022 – Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) a leading broadband and business communications provider, today announced it will bring Fidium fiber internet to 22,000 rural Maine homes and businesses as part of the Connect Maine Partnership, supported by a $18.3 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
This project will bolster Consolidated’s ongoing work to build fiber-to-the-premises broadband networks to more than 70% of the Company’s service area by 2025. With this additional funding and a company investment of $5.5 million, Consolidated will deliver gigabit fiber internet to more than 22,000 homes and businesses on Blue Hill Peninsula, the Rangeley area and the town of Farmington.
“Consolidated Communications is thrilled to be part of this partnership with Connect Maine, which will enable us to expand Fidium fiber internet to even more unserved rural areas of Maine,” said Erik Garr, president of consumer and small business for Consolidated Communications. “This public private partnership enables broadband connectivity which will result in economic, employment and quality of life benefits, ultimately improving how residents work and live."
The state of Maine currently ranks 32nd in broadband access, but is making great strides in improving connectivity in rural areas thanks to newly available federal and local funding, and investment from providers like Consolidated. The ConnectMaine project’s network construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2022. Elsewhere in the state, Consolidated is already building fiber networks in Bangor, Portland and Rockland as the Company works to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to more than 450,000 homes and businesses in Maine by 2025.
“We are excited to learn that we have been awarded NTIA Grant funds as part of the ConnectMaine Authority Statewide Broadband Infrastructure project,” said Joe Roach, town manager of the Town of Rangeley. “Reliable broadband will enrich the lives of the Rangeley region’s residents, students, businesses and visitors. The efforts of the Town of Rangeley, Sandy River Plantation, Dallas Plantation, and Rangeley Plantation to pursue a meaningful solution for broadband have been significant and time-consuming. We are thankful for the diligent work of our partner, Consolidated Communications, for helping to bring our broadband vision to this point.”
"This is absolutely amazing news and something we’ve been working towards for several years as a group of towns on the Blue Hill Peninsula,” said Butler Smythe, member of the Blue Hill Broadband Committee and Peninsula Utility for Broadband Committee. “The time and effort put in by all in our Peninsula group and the town broadband committees, mean that thousands of residents will be connected to a future-proof internet service. This will mean so much to parents, businesses, homeowners, renters, and everyone who relies on the internet. Thank you to ConnectMaine and Consolidated Communications for supporting our Peninsula.”
Consolidated Communications has a strong track record of delivering high-quality internet service to rural areas through public private partnerships, with 20 community network builds complete, and many more underway. These community networks connect 34,000 rural homes and businesses in New Hampshire, New York and Maine today.
NTIA grants are awarded for the deployment of broadband infrastructure to partnerships between a public entity and providers of fixed broadband service. Consolidated partnered with the Connect Maine Authority for the NTIA grant application to bring broadband to rural regions of the state.
About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) is dedicated to moving people, businesses and communities forward by delivering the latest reliable communications solutions. Consumers, businesses and wireless and wireline carriers depend on Consolidated for a wide range of high-speed internet, data, phone, security, cloud and wholesale carrier solutions. With a network spanning more than 50,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated is a top 10 U.S. fiber provider, turning technology into solutions that are backed by exceptional customer support. Learn more at consolidated.com. Connect with us on social media.
Consolidated Communications to Deliver Fidium Fiber Internet to 22,000 Rural Maine Homes and Businesses through Connect Maine Partnership $18.3 million NTIA grant enables public private partnership to deliver gigabit fiber to Rangeley Lakes Region, the Blue Hill Peninsula and the Farmington area
MATTOON, Ill. – Feb. 28, 2022 – Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) a leading broadband and business communications provider, today announced it will bring Fidium fiber internet to 22,000 rural Maine homes and businesses as part of the Connect Maine Partnership, supported by a $18.3 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
This project will bolster Consolidated’s ongoing work to build fiber-to-the-premises broadband networks to more than 70% of the Company’s service area by 2025. With this additional funding and a company investment of $5.5 million, Consolidated will deliver gigabit fiber internet to more than 22,000 homes and businesses on Blue Hill Peninsula, the Rangeley area and the town of Farmington.
“Consolidated Communications is thrilled to be part of this partnership with Connect Maine, which will enable us to expand Fidium fiber internet to even more unserved rural areas of Maine,” said Erik Garr, president of consumer and small business for Consolidated Communications. “This public private partnership enables broadband connectivity which will result in economic, employment and quality of life benefits, ultimately improving how residents work and live."
The state of Maine currently ranks 32nd in broadband access, but is making great strides in improving connectivity in rural areas thanks to newly available federal and local funding, and investment from providers like Consolidated. The ConnectMaine project’s network construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2022. Elsewhere in the state, Consolidated is already building fiber networks in Bangor, Portland and Rockland as the Company works to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to more than 450,000 homes and businesses in Maine by 2025.
“We are excited to learn that we have been awarded NTIA Grant funds as part of the ConnectMaine Authority Statewide Broadband Infrastructure project,” said Joe Roach, town manager of the Town of Rangeley. “Reliable broadband will enrich the lives of the Rangeley region’s residents, students, businesses and visitors. The efforts of the Town of Rangeley, Sandy River Plantation, Dallas Plantation, and Rangeley Plantation to pursue a meaningful solution for broadband have been significant and time-consuming. We are thankful for the diligent work of our partner, Consolidated Communications, for helping to bring our broadband vision to this point.”
"This is absolutely amazing news and something we’ve been working towards for several years as a group of towns on the Blue Hill Peninsula,” said Butler Smythe, member of the Blue Hill Broadband Committee and Peninsula Utility for Broadband Committee. “The time and effort put in by all in our Peninsula group and the town broadband committees, mean that thousands of residents will be connected to a future-proof internet service. This will mean so much to parents, businesses, homeowners, renters, and everyone who relies on the internet. Thank you to ConnectMaine and Consolidated Communications for supporting our Peninsula.”
Consolidated Communications has a strong track record of delivering high-quality internet service to rural areas through public private partnerships, with 20 community network builds complete, and many more underway. These community networks connect 34,000 rural homes and businesses in New Hampshire, New York and Maine today.
NTIA grants are awarded for the deployment of broadband infrastructure to partnerships between a public entity and providers of fixed broadband service. Consolidated partnered with the Connect Maine Authority for the NTIA grant application to bring broadband to rural regions of the state.
About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) is dedicated to moving people, businesses and communities forward by delivering the latest reliable communications solutions. Consumers, businesses and wireless and wireline carriers depend on Consolidated for a wide range of high-speed internet, data, phone, security, cloud and wholesale carrier solutions. With a network spanning more than 50,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated is a top 10 U.S. fiber provider, turning technology into solutions that are backed by exceptional customer support. Learn more at consolidated.com. Connect with us on social media.
ConnectMaine Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Goodman, [email protected]
February 25, 2022
ConnectMaine Receives Major Award to Connect Dozens of Rural Communities
U.S. Department of Commerce Grant will enable the ConnectMaine Authority, municipalities, internet service providers to connect more than 11,000 households
Augusta, Maine – The ConnectMaine Authority today celebrated an announcement that it has been awarded a $28 million grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce to bring fast, affordable internet service to thousands of unserved homes across the state. The award will fund a new public-private partnership that will connect more than thousands of unserved homes in more than a dozen communities.
The federal funds, awarded through a competitive grant process, will support a partnership between ConnectMaine, the towns of Somerville, Washington, and Isle au Haut, and internet service providers Consolidated Communications, Axiom Technologies, and LCI Fiber Optic Network to bring fiber to unserved areas in Franklin, Hancock, Knox, and Lincoln counties. The grant will support the establishment of municipally-owned networks in the three municipalities serving as partners under the grant.
“I have pledged that every person in Maine who wants to connect to reliable internet will be able to do so by the end of 2024. This Federal funding will help us make progress on that ambitious goal by ensuring that more than 11,000 unserved Maine homes have access to high-speed internet, providing them with the connection they need to work, study, start a business, see a doctor, and stay in touch with friends and family,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I thank Maine’s Congressional Delegation for their ongoing support and congratulate the ConnectMaine Authority and its partners, the municipalities of Somerville, Washington, and Isle Au Haut, and Consolidated Communications, Axiom Technologies, and LCI Fiber Optic Network, on this exciting venture.”
“Today’s award underscores that Maine is a leader in bringing together public and private organizations to meet our connectivity challenges,” said Peggy Schaffer, Director of the ConnectMaine Authority. “We look forward to working with our partners to help ensure that every Mainer has the connectivity they need to work, study, and communicate with their friends and family.”
“This exciting public-private partnership will bring our state closer to its connectivity goals,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “During her recent State of the State Address, Governor Mills pledged that every Mainer who wants to connect to the internet will be able to do so by the end of 2024. This exciting announcement will bring Maine closer to that benchmark by connecting more than 11,000 homes with fast, affordable, and reliable internet.”
"We are pleased to be supporting community owned broadband projects and excited to partner with three communities--Somerville, Washington and Isle au Haut--to deliver a world class fiber experience,” said Mark Ouellette, CEO of Axiom Technologies. “These communities will all have broadband connectivity that will rival anywhere on the planet, will close the digital divide for many children, and enable adults to be able to work from home productively. I thank Governor Mills and the ConnectMaine Authority for their support of this grant application.”
“Consolidated Communications is thrilled to receive this NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Program grant, which will enable us to expand high-speed broadband access to even more unserved rural areas of Maine,” said Erik Garr, president of consumer and small business for Consolidated Communications. “This critical funding supports our commitment to deliver high quality gigabit fiber services to more than 22,000 rural residents and small businesses in the Rangeley Lakes Region, the Blue Hill Peninsula and the Farmington area. This public private partnership enables broadband connectivity which will result in economic, employment and quality of life benefits, ultimately improving how residents work and live."
“We are pleased and honored to be awarded the NTIA grant to build out fiber optic broadband to over 600 unserved homes in Jefferson, Maine. This federal grant, when combined with our own substantial capital investment, will allow LCI to provide high speed fiber optic broadband to one of the most rural parts of Midcoast Maine,” said Shirley Manning, Owner and President of LCI Fiber Optic Network. “Our company’s goal is simple – to provide 100% fiber to the home service to as many unserved and underserved homes in Maine, as quickly as possible. With the strong leadership of Governor Mills, the technical guidance from the ConnectME Authority, and our new partnership with the US Department of Commerce/NTIA, we now move one step closer to achieving that goal.”
Maine was one of the first states in the country to develop a community broadband planning program, and more than 200 communities have participated in the process since 2016. In addition, ConnectMaine had the vision to build a partnership of Maine companies to develop the broadband knowledge platform that created the base for a coordinated application. Thanks to the partnership of these communities, vendors and providers, ConnectMaine has been able to organize an application with such wide geographic diversity, bringing coverage from the mountains to the sea. ConnectMaine’s important groundwork and application submission took place prior to the establishment of the Maine Connectivity Authority; both entities continue to work closely together to reach Maine’s connectivity goals.
This award builds on the Mills Administration’s work to expand access to affordable broadband. Governor Mills dedicated $21 million through her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, which, when combined with the $129 million through the American Rescue Plan, will provide a total of $150 million to the Maine Connectivity Authority to expand access to affordable broadband.
In 2020, Governor Mills also dedicated $5.6 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds, in partnership with private internet providers, to build out permanent internet infrastructure to more than 730 students across rural Maine. The initiative built on the Mills Administration’s previous work to secure mobile hotspots and learning devices for nearly 24,000 students across Maine after schools suspended in-classroom instruction and adopted remote learning earlier this year.
In 2020, Governor Mills also secured the approval of a $15 million bond proposal for broadband, the first new investment in internet expansion in more than a decade that has connected 11,000 homes and businesses to the internet.
The partnership supported by the grant will bring a fiber connection to unserved areas in Jefferson, Somerville, Washington, Isle Au Haut, Blue Hill, Penobscot, Sedgwick, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle and a small portion of Stonington. Communities in Franklin County include Dallas, Rangeley, and Sandy River Plantations, Rangeley, Farmington, Industry, Strong, Temple, New Sharon, Chesterville, Wilton. As mentioned above, Somerville, Washington and Isle Au Haut will be municipally owned networks, where ConnectMaine will provide the 10% match required for the grant.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Goodman, [email protected]
February 25, 2022
ConnectMaine Receives Major Award to Connect Dozens of Rural Communities
U.S. Department of Commerce Grant will enable the ConnectMaine Authority, municipalities, internet service providers to connect more than 11,000 households
Augusta, Maine – The ConnectMaine Authority today celebrated an announcement that it has been awarded a $28 million grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce to bring fast, affordable internet service to thousands of unserved homes across the state. The award will fund a new public-private partnership that will connect more than thousands of unserved homes in more than a dozen communities.
The federal funds, awarded through a competitive grant process, will support a partnership between ConnectMaine, the towns of Somerville, Washington, and Isle au Haut, and internet service providers Consolidated Communications, Axiom Technologies, and LCI Fiber Optic Network to bring fiber to unserved areas in Franklin, Hancock, Knox, and Lincoln counties. The grant will support the establishment of municipally-owned networks in the three municipalities serving as partners under the grant.
“I have pledged that every person in Maine who wants to connect to reliable internet will be able to do so by the end of 2024. This Federal funding will help us make progress on that ambitious goal by ensuring that more than 11,000 unserved Maine homes have access to high-speed internet, providing them with the connection they need to work, study, start a business, see a doctor, and stay in touch with friends and family,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I thank Maine’s Congressional Delegation for their ongoing support and congratulate the ConnectMaine Authority and its partners, the municipalities of Somerville, Washington, and Isle Au Haut, and Consolidated Communications, Axiom Technologies, and LCI Fiber Optic Network, on this exciting venture.”
“Today’s award underscores that Maine is a leader in bringing together public and private organizations to meet our connectivity challenges,” said Peggy Schaffer, Director of the ConnectMaine Authority. “We look forward to working with our partners to help ensure that every Mainer has the connectivity they need to work, study, and communicate with their friends and family.”
“This exciting public-private partnership will bring our state closer to its connectivity goals,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “During her recent State of the State Address, Governor Mills pledged that every Mainer who wants to connect to the internet will be able to do so by the end of 2024. This exciting announcement will bring Maine closer to that benchmark by connecting more than 11,000 homes with fast, affordable, and reliable internet.”
"We are pleased to be supporting community owned broadband projects and excited to partner with three communities--Somerville, Washington and Isle au Haut--to deliver a world class fiber experience,” said Mark Ouellette, CEO of Axiom Technologies. “These communities will all have broadband connectivity that will rival anywhere on the planet, will close the digital divide for many children, and enable adults to be able to work from home productively. I thank Governor Mills and the ConnectMaine Authority for their support of this grant application.”
“Consolidated Communications is thrilled to receive this NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Program grant, which will enable us to expand high-speed broadband access to even more unserved rural areas of Maine,” said Erik Garr, president of consumer and small business for Consolidated Communications. “This critical funding supports our commitment to deliver high quality gigabit fiber services to more than 22,000 rural residents and small businesses in the Rangeley Lakes Region, the Blue Hill Peninsula and the Farmington area. This public private partnership enables broadband connectivity which will result in economic, employment and quality of life benefits, ultimately improving how residents work and live."
“We are pleased and honored to be awarded the NTIA grant to build out fiber optic broadband to over 600 unserved homes in Jefferson, Maine. This federal grant, when combined with our own substantial capital investment, will allow LCI to provide high speed fiber optic broadband to one of the most rural parts of Midcoast Maine,” said Shirley Manning, Owner and President of LCI Fiber Optic Network. “Our company’s goal is simple – to provide 100% fiber to the home service to as many unserved and underserved homes in Maine, as quickly as possible. With the strong leadership of Governor Mills, the technical guidance from the ConnectME Authority, and our new partnership with the US Department of Commerce/NTIA, we now move one step closer to achieving that goal.”
Maine was one of the first states in the country to develop a community broadband planning program, and more than 200 communities have participated in the process since 2016. In addition, ConnectMaine had the vision to build a partnership of Maine companies to develop the broadband knowledge platform that created the base for a coordinated application. Thanks to the partnership of these communities, vendors and providers, ConnectMaine has been able to organize an application with such wide geographic diversity, bringing coverage from the mountains to the sea. ConnectMaine’s important groundwork and application submission took place prior to the establishment of the Maine Connectivity Authority; both entities continue to work closely together to reach Maine’s connectivity goals.
This award builds on the Mills Administration’s work to expand access to affordable broadband. Governor Mills dedicated $21 million through her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, which, when combined with the $129 million through the American Rescue Plan, will provide a total of $150 million to the Maine Connectivity Authority to expand access to affordable broadband.
In 2020, Governor Mills also dedicated $5.6 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds, in partnership with private internet providers, to build out permanent internet infrastructure to more than 730 students across rural Maine. The initiative built on the Mills Administration’s previous work to secure mobile hotspots and learning devices for nearly 24,000 students across Maine after schools suspended in-classroom instruction and adopted remote learning earlier this year.
In 2020, Governor Mills also secured the approval of a $15 million bond proposal for broadband, the first new investment in internet expansion in more than a decade that has connected 11,000 homes and businesses to the internet.
The partnership supported by the grant will bring a fiber connection to unserved areas in Jefferson, Somerville, Washington, Isle Au Haut, Blue Hill, Penobscot, Sedgwick, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle and a small portion of Stonington. Communities in Franklin County include Dallas, Rangeley, and Sandy River Plantations, Rangeley, Farmington, Industry, Strong, Temple, New Sharon, Chesterville, Wilton. As mentioned above, Somerville, Washington and Isle Au Haut will be municipally owned networks, where ConnectMaine will provide the 10% match required for the grant.
Peninsula 4-Town Broadband Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Miller, Selectman, Blue Hill, [email protected]
Peninsula Broadband Committees Issue RFP to Expand Access
Blue Hill, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Penobscot seek improved high-speed internet for their communities
(July 12, 2021) – Broadband committee representatives and officials from Blue Hill, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Penobscot have united for the common purpose of improving broadband (high-speed internet) access in their communities. The group has released a request for proposals (RFP) for the construction of a Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) network, a significant milestone in the effort to make fast, affordable, and reliable internet available to every household and business in the affiliated towns.
“While the effort to bring true broadband internet access to the entire Peninsula has been underway for more than three years, the recent pandemic has driven home the need for reliable, accessible internet for our students, medical professionals and their patients, the business community, those who work from home and many others,” said Scott Miller, Selectman of Blue Hill. “The poor or non-existent access, coupled with increased state and federal focus on supporting rural broadband efforts, makes it clear that the time to act is now.”
The town representatives selected Bangor-based consulting firm Mission Broadband to advise on the RFP and assist with evaluating proposals received. Recently, there has been encouragement of public/private broadband partnerships through funding opportunities at both at the state and national level. Once a qualified vendor selection is made following the RFP process, the resulting partnership will apply for available grants to lower the towns’ collective costs.
“We are happy to have this very experienced, national firm lending a hand as we embark on this important step,” said Abbie McMillen, co-chair of the Brooksville Broadband Committee. “We have determined that Mission is one of only two consulting firms in the state that works solely on behalf of communities, so there is no conflict of interest with any of the potential proposers.”
Surveys have shown that internet speeds are nearly universally substandard within the four towns, and frustration has been expressed by residents about the speed and quality of service.
The towns anticipate that the responses to the RFP will clarify the range of potential opportunities to improve the situation, as well as the associated costs.
“It is important to recognize that no agreements that involve any significant town expenditures will be finalized until there is appropriate town approval,” said James Fisher, Town Manager of Deer Isle. “We hope that our RFP will lead our towns to adopt the most cost effective, reliable solution for improving this critical and now essential infrastructure.”
“The future of Maine towns like Penobscot depends on fiber everywhere to draw the families, entrepreneurs, and others to the beautiful coast,” said Joel Katz, chairman of the Penobscot Broadband Committee. “Fast, affordable and ‘future proof’ is not too much to ask.”
The RFP is available at https://www.peninsulautility4broadband.org/rfp.html.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Miller, Selectman, Blue Hill, [email protected]
Peninsula Broadband Committees Issue RFP to Expand Access
Blue Hill, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Penobscot seek improved high-speed internet for their communities
(July 12, 2021) – Broadband committee representatives and officials from Blue Hill, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Penobscot have united for the common purpose of improving broadband (high-speed internet) access in their communities. The group has released a request for proposals (RFP) for the construction of a Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) network, a significant milestone in the effort to make fast, affordable, and reliable internet available to every household and business in the affiliated towns.
“While the effort to bring true broadband internet access to the entire Peninsula has been underway for more than three years, the recent pandemic has driven home the need for reliable, accessible internet for our students, medical professionals and their patients, the business community, those who work from home and many others,” said Scott Miller, Selectman of Blue Hill. “The poor or non-existent access, coupled with increased state and federal focus on supporting rural broadband efforts, makes it clear that the time to act is now.”
The town representatives selected Bangor-based consulting firm Mission Broadband to advise on the RFP and assist with evaluating proposals received. Recently, there has been encouragement of public/private broadband partnerships through funding opportunities at both at the state and national level. Once a qualified vendor selection is made following the RFP process, the resulting partnership will apply for available grants to lower the towns’ collective costs.
“We are happy to have this very experienced, national firm lending a hand as we embark on this important step,” said Abbie McMillen, co-chair of the Brooksville Broadband Committee. “We have determined that Mission is one of only two consulting firms in the state that works solely on behalf of communities, so there is no conflict of interest with any of the potential proposers.”
Surveys have shown that internet speeds are nearly universally substandard within the four towns, and frustration has been expressed by residents about the speed and quality of service.
The towns anticipate that the responses to the RFP will clarify the range of potential opportunities to improve the situation, as well as the associated costs.
“It is important to recognize that no agreements that involve any significant town expenditures will be finalized until there is appropriate town approval,” said James Fisher, Town Manager of Deer Isle. “We hope that our RFP will lead our towns to adopt the most cost effective, reliable solution for improving this critical and now essential infrastructure.”
“The future of Maine towns like Penobscot depends on fiber everywhere to draw the families, entrepreneurs, and others to the beautiful coast,” said Joel Katz, chairman of the Penobscot Broadband Committee. “Fast, affordable and ‘future proof’ is not too much to ask.”
The RFP is available at https://www.peninsulautility4broadband.org/rfp.html.