Broadband connectivity survey invites Maine businesses, residents to share views

Courtesy / The Island Institute Installation of a broadband tower in the Cranberry Islands. The town of Cranberry Isles received at $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Community Connect Grant Program to pay for its improved broadband network that provides speeds equal to New York City. Maine businesses and residents are being invited to respond to a survey asking them how important broadband connectivity is to them.

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By Staff

How important is broadband connectivity to businesses and residents throughout Maine? A new statewide survey aims to find out.

The Telecommunications Association of Maine has teamed up with Consolidated Communications and The Island Institute to conduct the survey, which will be available online all month.

The association, which is dedicated to promoting affordable voice and Internet service in rural Maine, asks respondents about the importance of activities that depend on reliable broadband Internet usage, ranging from telecommuting to telemedicine.

It also seeks to understand barriers such as cost, lack of providers and lack of speed for rural Mainers in underserved areas who currently lack access to high-speed access.

“As a statewide association focused on investing in a rural future and promoting reliable and affordable Internet access for all corners of our state, this survey is an important initiative," said the association's executive director, Ben Sanborn, in a news release.

He added: "The findings will help us understand both the current need for broadband and identify any misconceptions about broadband access from all regions of the state. We are purposefully seeking the input of non-rural Mainers who we consider 'served' as well as the many 'underserved' rural Mainers.”

The association plans to use the findings of this research to develop new communications strategies that support its mission of promoting the use and development of telephone and communication services.

"Access to reliable, high-speed internet can provide significant benefits to rural Maine,” said Nick Battista, senior policy officer at the Island Institute. “Residents of island, coastal, and inland communities have the opportunity to inform the statewide broadband conversation. Filling out this survey helps you make your voice heard.”

The Telecommunications Association of Maine is made up of 21 independent phone companies, serving more than 150,000 access lines.