Maine Connectivity Authority aims to provide internet to the last approx. 1.5% without it by using Starlink

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According to the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) there are an estimated nine thousand locations across the state still going without connectivity service of any kind. But starting in mid-November, they're looking to change that.

A recent SpaceX launch showed them putting over a dozen of its Starlink satellites into our Earth's orbit. Starlink is a subsidiary of SpaceX. According to the MCA, satellites like those could help provide internet, service, and technology connection to some of Maine's most rural areas.

"This is an opportunity for folks around the state at some of the hardest to reach most rural locations to have access and the option for internet connection," said Brian Allenby, Senior Director of Program Operations for MCA. "These are locations that don't have access to any kind of internet option right now. Not even an old, slow, unreliable connection."

There are an estimated 9,000 locations in Maine going without a tech-connection, which represents around 1.5% of Mainers, and while they're scattered across the state, Allenby says they're concentrated in Oxford, Penobscot, and Aroostook counties. He says Mainers will have a chance to see if they qualify for a Starlink dish in mid-November when an open enrollment portal kicks off under their new Working Internet ASAP (WIA) Program. The program aims to provide Low Earth Orbit satellite internet access to those who qualify.

According to Allenby, by submitting an address, contact information, and providing simple evidence that they either live or work at that address, Mainers who are approved will be moved into a Starlink customer portal. From there, he says dishes will be sent to Mainers who can either install it themselves or be installed for free through a qualified MCA installation partner.

Those who receive a Starlink dish can decide their subscription level which Allenby says ranges from $90 to $120 a month.

"Whether that hardware and that infrastructure is attached to poles or whether it's coming from satellites, we'll fund the hardware, get the connection to the home or business, but then it's up to the individual, the family the folks that live there to decide exactly what subscription level is right for them. We know that a lot of these locations are potentially secondary homes. They might be camps that are really rural and for a lot of folks they might not want to subscribe year around, they might want to subscribe a handful of months out of the year while they're off to camp," said Allenby. "That relationship will be between the customer and Starlink. What MCA will provide is all the hardware they need to get the connection at their house and that free installation support as well."

According to Allenby, these efforts under the WIA program began this past summer with a competitive request for proposal process.

Since 2022, they've served 86,000 locations through $250 million of federal funds.

He says the MCA will facilitate $350 million in federal funds that will be deployed starting in 2025 and for the years to come to address those here in Maine that have slow and unreliable connections.

"What we're left with is the 1.5%, 9,000 locations left. Once we provide this option for folks it also doesn't mean that the work is done. There's still going to be more work. We have another big round of federal funding coming next year that will help to address even more locations that have a slow and unreliable connection. The Working Internet ASAP Program is really focused on those folks who have no option at all," said Allenby. "For those folks who have a connection but it's not a great internet connection, we'll be facilitating the deployment of over $350 million in 2025 and beyond to address and provide a better solution for those folks as well."

Allenby says more information about the WIA program will be rolled out in the coming weeks, including a phone number for those with unreliable internet. To learn more visit the MCA website.