Resources
The MCA has set a goal of broadband service being universally available, but Maine’s population isn’t dense enough for the private sector alone to expand broadband service. Along with limited state funding, public-private partnerships are required with involvement from the local level. The following resources are intended to be helpful to local community leaders and contribute to the expansion of broadband service statewide.
Featured Resources
Funding
All-In Programs
The Maine Connectivity Authority funds broadband infrastructure and planning projects through our All-In Programs: Connect the Ready, Get Ready: Community Support, Regional & Tribal Broadband Partners, Reach Me Line Extension, and Jumpstart. To-date, MCA has invested more than $45 million directly into these programs.
Funding Streams
The Maine Connectivity Authority receives funding from the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF), the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP), and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
Mapping
Mapping broadband service helps customers know where broadband is available, and it helps grant applicants identify potentially unserved areas. There will be future opportunities to submit data or comment on the availability or lack of broadband service. Please visit our data collection web page for more information.
Get Up to Speed:
Mainers can take a speed test through a project of the Maine Broadband Coalition.
NTIA Map:
Indicators of Broadband Need shows the digital divide across the country and was released in June 2021.
Links
These external links lead to resources for community leaders:
-
Maine Broadband Coalition helps public policy makers and Maine citizens make the best choices about building a robust and productive information technology infrastructure, and supports regional dialogs through the Community of Practice.
-
Community-Driven Broadband Process (pdf) guidebook from Island Institute
-
Fiber-to-the-Home Tools & Resources from Broadband Communities Magazine
-
Getting Maine Connected resource webpage developed by a program of the Maine Development Foundation
-
Broadband 101 by the Benton Institute
-
Internet & Broadband Facts by Pew Research Center
-
Public-Private Partnerships (pdf), Stakeholder Outreach (pdf), Planning Roadmap, Power of Partnerships (pdf) are guides by BroadbandUSA.
-
Broadband Factsheets by Broadband Connects America Coalition
-
Table of Recent Federal Funds (pdf) by Common Sense
-
Guide to Federal Broadband Funding (pdf) by Internet Society
-
Guide to Federal Funding by BroadbandUSA
-
Indicators of Broadband Need a map by NTIA
-
Adult Education Programs offer digital literacy courses for free.
-
National Digital Equity Center provides resources to close the digital divide, including affordability and literacy resources.
-
give IT. get IT provides affordable equipment, such as computers, along with other digital inclusion resources.
-
A community broadband planning factsheet (pdf) by the Town of Vinalhaven
-
Questions on Charter's Bulk-Buy Solution (pdf) by the Mount Vernon Broadband Committee
