‘Internet for All’ initiative moving forward in Maine

Maine’s initial plan to provide high-speed internet service to everyone in the state has been approved by the NTIA.

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - Maine’s “Internet for All” state grant program is moving forward.

On Monday afternoon, officials from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Maine Connectivity Authority announced the approval of Maine’s initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a part of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Internet for All” initiative.

Maine can now request access to over $271 million in funding to begin implementing the program, which is an effort to provide everyone in the state with affordable and reliable internet service.

The BEAD program is a national effort and part of President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Law.

“Reliable Internet access is a critical part of ensuring rural states like Maine can fully participate in our modern, globally-connected economy,” Governor Janet Mills said in a press release from NTIA. “With this approval, Maine can now put historic Federal funds to use to bring the internet to more people in Maine, unlocking new opportunities in commerce, education, telemedicine, and more. I thank President Biden and the Maine Congressional Delegation for their hard work to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made this historic investment possible. My Administration and the Maine Connectivity Authority will continue our aggressive work to make an internet connection available to every person in Maine who wants one.”

“I’m thrilled to see Maine Connectivity’s BEAD round 2 approval,” Congresswoman Chellie Pingree also said in the release. “This is an important step to closing the digital divide and getting critically needed broadband resources to the state. I was proud to help secure BEAD funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will continue to support efforts to ensure all Mainers have broadband access.”

The initial proposals, for how each state plans to spend the funding to deliver internet to everyone in their state, were submitted to NTIA in December 2023. Since Maine’s initial proposals were just approved in June, Maine now has a year to submit a final proposal that details the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.