Sen. Vitelli introduces bill to bring broadband connectivity to rural communities

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, introduced a bill to help expand high-quality, reliable internet access to more underserved Maine communities. LD 1894, “An Act To Support Municipal Broadband Infrastructure through Incentives and Competition,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.

“As a resident of a small, rural community, a lack of high-speed, reliable internet has been a challenge for my neighbors and me for many years. It wasn’t profitable for private companies to expand internet in our community, and residents suffered as a result,” said Sen. Vitelli. “The solution was a publicly owned broadband network that would provide connectivity to every household and business in town, but securing funding was a challenge. This bill seeks to assist other towns like Arrowsic in completing this process moving forward. We all know that in this day and age, internet connectivity is a necessity. It’s how we stay in touch with friends, get help from our doctors, grow our businesses and more. As technology evolves and our connectivity grows each year, we must ensure that Maine’s small and rural communities are not left behind.”

LD 1894 would make more resources available to municipal and consumer-owned utilities who want to bring connectivity to their underserved residents and businesses using their utility delivery system infrastructure. The bill also will help these entities access match funding, which is often required for federal or other funding opportunities, by making changes to the Municipal Gigabit Broadband Network Access Fund.

“This bill helps [small, rural towns] make some informed choices about building out internet capacity, either by paying these cable companies to extend their lines to make it more accessible to residents in underserved areas, or by investing in new town-wide fiber systems,” said Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, in testimony supporting the bill. “Because each community’s needs are different, this bill allows for flexibility. One size does not fit all. For this to happen, small towns need access to resources. This bill provides some avenues for that, including match funding, which would be a huge benefit.”

“Having quality broadband means access to remote work and learning opportunities, access to health care via telehealth, and increased economic opportunities for current and future businesses,” said Rockland Mayor Ed Glaser on behalf of the Maine Mayors’ Coalition in testimony supporting LD 1894. “Too many communities have limited or no choices for broadband. Opening these funds to create new networks would provide residents and local businesses with alternatives that will spur additional competition while expanding access.”

LD 1894 faces further action in committee.