Fri, 08 May 2026 08:14:40 -0700WeeblyWed, 10 Feb 2021 07:00:00 GMThttp://midcoastbroadband.com/minutes/feb-10-coalition-meetingTo view a recording of our February 10th meeting please click here

]]>Wed, 27 Jan 2021 07:00:00 GMThttp://midcoastbroadband.com/minutes/1-27_meeting_notesMid-Coast Broadband Task Force
January 27, 2021
5:00 p.m.
Zoom (during COVID-19 Pandemic)

AGENDA

Call to Order
Task Force Participants: Camden - Matt Siegel, Marc Ratner, Jeremy Martin; Rockport -Joe Sternowski, John Viehman, Debra Hall; Hope – Duane Wright, Amy Gertner, Melissa Foster Hall, Allie Fenner; Lincolnville – Josh Gerritsen and David Kinney; Chris Stump – Tech Advisor

Introduction by Debra Hall

Elect Chair and Vice Chair
Debra Hall has been coordinating efforts of the prior Camden Rockport Task Force to date but there is officially no Chair or Vice Chair, for which there should be an annual election.

Discuss Mission and Organization of Task Force
The Camden Rockport Task Force has acted in a consensus manner to date. The meetings have consisted of discussions about: our goals, potential structures, surveys, drafting several articles for publication, agreement to rename task force to current name, agreement to contract with a consultant and later decision to expand task force membership and consider consultants in a broader context; agreement to reach out to Hope, Lincolnville, Rockland, Union, Belfast and potentially others.

Discuss Current Efforts re Broadband in State of Maine and Mid-Coast Region
The participants are invited to share information about the status of broadband efforts in their individual towns (Hope and Lincolnville) and other municipal efforts of which we are aware.

Discuss Current Budget Efforts and Grant Status
Given that the Task Force will have to retain a consultant, we should discuss our efforts to budget for broadband in the upcoming budget cycle and knowledge of grants that might exist. Debra Hall and Matt Siegel will report on their latest discussions with one potential consultant, Finley Engineering. A copy of a sample work product for Finley Engineering, a consultant under consideration, is attached for the Task Force’s review.

Report on Task Force Website and Outreach
Chris Stump has kindly volunteered to assist the Task Force in their efforts to create a website. Chris is a resident in St. George and experienced in website creation.

Future / Regular Meetings
The Task Force is asked to discuss future and regular meetings. It would be helpful to choose a regular date and time.

Other Matters & Adjournment
​]]>Sun, 17 Jan 2021 07:00:00 GMThttp://midcoastbroadband.com/minutes/meeting-notes-jan-17-2021Mid-Coast Broadband Coalition (MCBC) Meeting
January 27, 2021
5:00 p.m.
Zoom (during COVID-19 Pandemic)

Minutes

Call to Order (5:05 pm)
Participants: Camden - Matt Siegel, Marc Ratner, Jeremy Martin; Rockport - John Viehman, Debra Hall; Hope – Duane Wright, Melissa Foster Hall, Allie Fenner; Lincolnville – Josh Gerritsen and David Kinney; Knox County - Leticia vanVuuren

Introduction by Debra Hall
Introduced new members from Hope and Lincolnville, and existing members.
Discussed Broadband implementation as a regional priority.
Introduced Leticia vanVuuren, with County GIS, who works on mapping and general regional planning.
Action item: Jeremy Martin to follow-up with city officials from Rockland and Union regarding joining the MCBC.

Elect Chair and Vice Chair
Action item: Elected Chair Deb Hall and Vice Chair Matt Siegel. One year term.

Organization
To date, the Camden Rockport Task Force acted in a consensus manner.
Action item(s):
Rename “task force” as Mid-Coast Broadband Coalition. Passed.
Develop Mission statement / goals.
Need Memo of Understanding to guide Coalition work.

4a. Discussion of Coalition Mission and Mission Statement
Discussed and broadly defined coalition goals, potential structures, surveys, and next steps.

Throughout the region, to provide high speed broadband.
FCC definition (2014-17) 25/3 high speed, to make available
Service dense populations and rural areas
Fiber to the home (FTTH), equitable
Be unified
Connect to the communities
“Shoot big and high”
POI: ConnectMaine, Peggy Scheaffer-Mapping not accurate

To provide:
Value for customer/residents: Cheaper, faster, better

To do:
How (the realities) vs. Vision (the dreams)
Feasibility studies

To consider:
Economies of scale
The number of takers, critical mass
Underserved areas may help with Fed and State grants
Finding a balance, averaging out density and rural
Equity in access
Similar to other utilities ~ CMP
Private vs open access networks

Regional utility
Low margin
Starting/implementation in dense areas, phase in rural
80% of cost = pathway construction, remaining 20% is fiber and associated equipment

Related article on CARES Federal and State Funding
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/money/mills-announces-nearly-6m-to-build-internet-infrastructure-in-rural-maine-communities/97-cda32e5d-3dea-41b3-8556-fb1b3336d06e

Vetro mapping software for planning, network design, demand assessment, and fiber system management.
https://www.vetrofibermap.com/
Action item:         
Obtain no cost license for Coalition use. Debra has had contact with Vetro to place the Coalition on the list for no cost license rolling out in February/March

Action items:
Contact Finley for Feb 10th present, incl. community homework assignment (Debra)
Draft memo of understanding  (TBD)
Draft mission statement (John, Matt and Josh)

Discuss Current Efforts re Broadband in State of Maine and Mid-Coast Region
Hope will be happing a meeting regarding percentage of installation completed by LCI. Will obtain copy of grant and confirm that LCI owns the fiber installed pursuant to CARES grant.

Discuss Current Budget Efforts and Grant Status
Camden 15K
Rockport 15K
Can we get Rockland onboard?

Funds approved to retain a consultant
Participating towns need to budget for broadband in the upcoming budget cycle, in amounts they believe they can contribute
Research and explore grants

Debra Hall and Matt Siegel reported on their discussions with one potential consultant, Finley Engineering. A copy of a sample work product for Finley Engineering, a consultant under consideration, was provided to members of the Coalition and is available for review.

Report on Website, Marketing, Communications and Outreach
Action item(s):
Confirm transfer of URL from Doug Chamberlin in Belfast
Chris Stump to create a website.
(Chris is a resident in St. George and experienced in website creation.)
The Coalition’s draft articles for publication have been provided to Chris and he will include in a blog along with updates on MCBC’s work.

Future / Regular Meetings
The group set future and regular meetings.
Second Wednesday of each month at 5pm, regular meetings
Feb 10th
Mar 10th
May 12th
Jun 2nd Note this is first Wednesday of June to avoid town elections/annual meetings
Jul 14th
Aug 11th
Sept 8th
Oct 13th
Nov 10th
Dec 8th

Agenda items for Feb 10 meeting:
Finley Presentation on “Next/First Steps” in preparation for Finley estimated bid
Jeremy Martin: Update on Rockland and Union
John, Josh and Matt: Update on Mission Statement draft
Chris:  Website update
Melissa: Grant info update

Other Matters & Adjournment
Meeting adjourned (6:18 p.m.)

]]>Mon, 07 Dec 2020 07:00:00 GMThttp://midcoastbroadband.com/minutes/cheaper-faster-better-internetCheaper, Faster, Better Internet
The Facts About Internet Fiber

There is no question that Internet access is playing a larger role in our lives every day, and that its positive impacts will continue to grow. At times we seem bombarded with terms not clearly defined, such as “broadband,” “fiber,” “DSL,” “wireless,” “satellite” – but what do these terms mean and what do we really need to know about them?

It comes down to this: Experts agree that fiber (bundles of tiny strands of glass which transmit data via light) is the key link to all modern communication systems – the only question is how do we get it to every home and business throughout the nation, and particularly to everyone in Maine and the Mid-coast region?

The amount of data that travels through the internet every day is difficult to comprehend. In 2021, a million minutes of video will stream over the internet every second. No technology except fiber is capable of carrying this amount of data. In fact, 196 fiber strands, each thinner than a human hair, can fit into a bundle no bigger around than a pencil and yet can carry all of the world’s internet traffic!

Landline telephones and internet connections called “DSL” or “cable,” are made of copper wires. But copper is not capable of transmitting the amount or speed of data that flows across today’s internet. Likewise, basic physics teaches us that the speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound – meaning that the light which travels across fiber strands will always be faster than the sound waves that travel through wireless or satellite communication. Fiber makes it possible to transmit millions of times more data than in a cable or DSL system.

This is the reason that fiber has formed the backbone of international communications for decades, through sub-marine cables buried underneath the ocean floors connecting our continents, underground connecting one end of our nation to the other, and through the State of Maine in a network referred to as the “3 Ring Binder.”

But when the fiber gets close to homes and businesses, particularly here in Maine, it has traditionally connected to copper. Imagine this – fiber is like the interstate in which cars can travel at 70 mph. But when the data hits copper, it is akin to hitting a poorly maintained dirt road, reducing the speed and our ability to connect to the internet. The final step for 21st century communication involves extending the existing fiber right into our homes and businesses, called Fiber to the Home (FTTH).

In this series we will explore how we might be able to achieve FTTH in Camden and Rockport and the benefits it would provide in terms of economic development; educational opportunities; telecommuting; support for home-based businesses; healthcare delivered via the Internet; attracting younger generations; increasing home values and marketability; and overall ease, convenience and quality of daily living.

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This is the first in a series of articles generated by a joint ad hoc working group of Camden and Rockport elected officials, staff and volunteer residents exploring the options for cheaper, faster, better internet service. This series is intended to generate dialogue, initiate questions, and help residents and policymakers determine what is best for our respective communities. Please contact your respective Town Managers with comments or questions: Bill Post (Rockport Town Manager) wpost@rockportmaine.gov or Audra Caler-Bell (Camden Town Manager) ACaler-Bell@camdenmaine.gov.

Understanding Fiber Bandwidth (Speed)

Bandwidth is the ability of a communications network to carry information. As today’s bandwidth requirements are exploding – whether for tele-healthcare, remote home monitoring, video streaming, photo storage, virtual assistants (Siri), advanced TVs and more – we will need access to increasing amounts of bandwidth in our daily lives.

Most large telecommunications companies focus on “download” speeds but offer very slow “upload” speeds. When we download, we are typically obtaining or consuming information from the internet, whether it’s a video from Netflix, a recipe from Food Network, or directions from Google. But when we are sending information over the internet, upload speeds matter a great deal.

For example, home businesses rely on uploading – think about the local wedding photographer sending photos to her client. Telecommuters must have the ability to videoconference with clients and business colleagues. Educational classes and telehealth all require fast upload speeds. Many of us today use the iCloud to back-up our computers, to store photographs and videos, or to Skype or Facetime with our family and friends. All of these actions require high upload speeds or bandwidth.

Bandwidth is measured in megabits per second, called “Mbps.” Internet speed measurement can be complicated by the fact that although you may have a high-speed link to your Internet Service Provider (e.g., Spectrum, Verizon, Century Link), you will then have to share the bandwidth with other users. This is why the internet is often slower after work /school hours or on weekends and also the reason why Internet Service Providers advertise “up to” internet speeds – more often the speeds you actually experience are far less than those advertised.

Another reason for slow internet speeds is the distance between your home or business and the place where the copper meets fiber. Recall that in our first article we likened the trunks of fiber that connect towns in Maine to the interstate at which cars can travel 70 mph. But when they hit copper wire it’s like hitting a poorly maintained dirt road in terms of internet speed. The further your home or business is down this technological dirt road, the slower your internet speeds will be.

Only fiber always delivers the same upload speed as download speed. And fiber speeds are not slowed down by the use of your neighbors or the distance of your home or business from the fiber / copper connection because there is no copper connection. With fiber, bandwidth is reliable and consistent right to your home or business.  

This is the second in a series of articles generated by a joint ad hoc working group of Camden and Rockport elected officials, staff and volunteer residents exploring the options for cheaper, faster, better internet service. This series is intended to generate dialogue, initiate questions, and help residents and policymakers determine what is best for our respective communities. Please contact your respective Town Managers with comments or questions: Bill Post (Rockport Town Manager) wpost@rockportmaine.gov or Audra Caler-Bell (Camden Town Manager) ACaler-Bell@camdenmaine.gov.

Case In Point
hearstudios Makes Music In Camden

Our hope as a community is to have our young people stay, build careers and families, and enjoy and contribute to life here in the Mid-coast. Jason Hearst is one of those people who chose to come back to Maine, bringing his family and creating a business in Camden.  

Jason’s business, hearstudios, is a professional audio recording facility, located in downtown Camden. Locating his business (which started in his home) depended on reliable, high-speed internet to move large digital audio files around the world.  Finding a location that could house both his family and his business while providing the technical infrastructure was not an easy task.  In the end, he found a home close to Route 1 and the 3-Ring Binder dark fiber route. He then contracted with a local provider to run the necessary connections to his business.

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How Much Speed Do We Need?

High speed Internet is referred to as “broadband.” In order to be called Broadband, there is a minimum bandwidth required. How much bandwidth do we need? It depends on what you use the internet for, how many devices are connected in your home or business, and how many users are connected

Although the Federal government defines broadband as 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload (often noted as “25/3”)– these speeds are far less than what most households need today and what will be needed tomorrow. As of August 2019, Speedtest.com ranked the United States as 7th globally in terms of internet speed, and that was based on an average speed of 120 Mbps download and 47.27 Mbps upload – far more than the Federal minimum and far more than most homes and businesses in Maine experience.

Although some FCC commissioners argued in favor of a Federal minimum requirement for Broadband to be at least 100 Mbps, large telecommunications companies and their trade associations opposed even the 25/3 Mbps minimum that was adopted.

To explain in a bit more detail, if you have a 25/3 Mbps connection, you can think of it as a pie. Each user gets a slice of the pie along with their various devices. Essentially your total potential speed is split across all devices connected to your network. Even though Netflix recommends at least a 5 Mbps connection to download a standard video and 25 Mbps to download 4K high-quality content, your pie may only be able to allot 5-10 Mbps to Netflix if your children are doing their homework or you spouse is watching a YouTube video. Add to this the fact that a seemingly endless list of household devices are sharing your household bandwidth. Examples may include: washers/dryers, CPAP machines, medical monitors, refrigerators, Fitbits, iWatches, virtual assistants (e.g., Amazon Echo and Siri), televisions, wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, computers, cellphones and tablets.

As technology advances so do bandwidth requirements. For example, our cellphones are now capable of taking photos that require from 30 to 100 Mbps per image. While internet video used to be a novelty, now it’s the standard way of accessing news, information and entertainment. Today most new computers, tablets and smartphones come with free iCloud storage where most users now store their data and programs. Families stay in touch via Facebook, Skype and Twitter. New TVs are almost all high definition or even ultra 4K, all of which require large amounts of bandwidth.

There are links on the internet where you can test your internet speed, as well as assess your own household’s bandwidth needs, knowing that they will likely steadily increase each year.

This is the third in a series of articles generated by a joint ad hoc working group of Camden and Rockport elected officials, staff and volunteer residents exploring the options for cheaper, faster, better internet service. This series is intended to generate dialogue, initiate questions, and help residents and policymakers determine what is best for our respective communities. Please contact your respective Town Managers with comments or questions: Bill Post (Rockport Town Manager) wpost@rockportmaine.gov or Audra Caler-Bell (Camden Town Manager) ACaler-Bell@camdenmaine.gov.

Case In Point
Working From Home In Rockland

Living in a state with a shrinking population is not always top of mind for those of us who live in the Midcoast, a busy area with visitors from away sharing in our enjoyment of the region. But maintaining a healthy, economically sustainable community depends on our attracting working families. And increasingly, one or more of the family members will be working remotely from their home.

Paula and Karlo Apro had wanted to move to Maine for a long time.  They finally found an opportunity to do so and chose to move to Rockland, building their “dream house” from which to run their respective businesses.  Moving from an area with significant high-tech infrastructure, they assumed that their new home would have access to the high-speed internet that was crucial to both their businesses. Paula is a graphic designer who constantly moves large digital video files, and Karlo is an engineer who works for a company back in Connecticut.

In contacting local providers, they found their new home was quite a distance to the nearest fiber cable, and the cost of accessing the service they needed was prohibitive. Luckily for them, as they considered their options for the future (renting office space downtown, moving from their new home, etc.) one of our local providers needed access to high-speed services in a nearby location to service an infrastructure facility.  In the end, the Apros were able to connect into this new service, but others in their neighborhood have not been so lucky. In a future story, we’ll tell of a house sale that nearly wasn’t and a family that is considering moving away because of the cost of accessing service.
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]]>Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:00:00 GMThttp://midcoastbroadband.com/minutes/test-post
Broadband – Maine’s Bridge to the Future
By the Camden / Rockport Broadband Task Force

The Town of Rockport was forward thinking when it became the first Maine community to build a municipally-owned fiber optic network that serves the Town’s offices, Maine Media and certain businesses. But bringing high-speed broadband to the region’s homes and businesses beyond that one-mile network has remained elusive.

The technology is still the gold standard and is still what we should be striving to deliver to our residents. Camden and Rockport have joined together to form the Camden Rockport Broadband Task Force and are encouraging neighboring towns to join our efforts. This will enable us to design a network, carefully consider its economic viability, prepare a request for proposals to potential vendors and obtain bids.
Once we get the proposals back from the internet providers, we can then engage in an informed discussion about how to pay for such a network and how to structure the ownership of it.

Some Town officials believe that the time is ripe to build a network without raising taxes. That’s what Calais and Baileyville have done – and Millinocket and East Millinocket are going down a similar path. Other New England towns and states have pursued similar creative approaches.

Using Calais and Baileyville as an example, the towns formed a regional utility commission which then obtained various sources of funding including low-cost municipal loans to fund the commission. Other towns have issued revenue bonds. The bottom line is that towns have pursued innovative approaches to build high-speed internet networks without raising taxes and without recourse to the taxpayers in the event of failure. These efforts have sometimes been so successful that surrounding towns jump on board to join the effort.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is the need to have telehealth so that we can access health care from not only the comfort but the safety of our own homes. It has taught us the need to have strong educational opportunities available to our children, whether they are learning from home or in a classroom. And for every one of us still working – it has taught us how critical it is to keep the economic engine of our nation and our communities going, strong and vibrant, whether we are working in an office or from our homes. As employers have realized that they don’t need a highly centralized workforce in an expensive urban location, executives and workers at all levels are realizing that they can work where they want to live – instead of living where they have to work. This is what economic growth looks like for Maine – a prosperity that will benefit us all.

We urge you to visit the Maine Broadband Coalition website at https://www.mainebroadbandcoalition.org/. See for yourself how Albert Carver, owner of A.C. Inc. seafood company in Beals Island, Maine expanded his employees from 12 to 40, and grew his business from $2 million to $40 million – both of which he attributes to the availability of high-speed internet. Albert says this would not have been possible without broadband – because it has opened his company to the entire world.

Also check out Scott Bailey, a senior with congestive heart failure who has been able to stay out of the hospital and other medical facilities through high-speed internet that allows his medical professionals to monitor and care for him from his own home. Not only has it improved his quality of life, it has actually improved his health.

Just as past centuries required railroads, navigable rivers, and adequate roads to grow the economy that has made this nation what it is today, we must have reliable high-speed internet connections to the world in order to improve our economic prospects for today and tomorrow. The benefits of high-speed internet are real – for every one of us – and they are a generational investment that we cannot afford not to make.


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