FairPoint upgrades broadband service in Monson and Willimantic

PORTLAND — FairPoint Communications1 has announced the completion of broadband expansion projects in Piscataquis County that extend and enhance FairPoint’s approximately 18,000-mile fiber optic network, which is the largest, fully-owned and managed fiber-based network in northern New England. As a result of these completed projects, improved broadband speeds are available to more than 140 locations in Monson and Willimantic – providing broadband service to some locations for the first time.

“High speed Internet access fuels Maine’s economic engine by unlocking new ways to be more productive, compete for business far past the storefront, and enable learning beyond the confines of a classroom,” said Mike Reed, Maine state president for FairPoint. “Our team has been extremely busy over the past year completing these broadband projects that bring critical improvements to the ‘last mile’ of FairPoint’s network to increase broadband speeds to these unserved and underserved areas. These projects provide immediate benefit to the locations impacted enabling those in more rural and remote areas to take full advantage of the digital age.”

To help support expansion and operation of broadband services in high-cost areas, in 2015 FairPoint accepted Phase II of the Federal Communication Commission’s Connect America Fund (CAF). The projects are funded through CAF Phase II and the Company’s own significant direct investments.

In Monson portions of the North Guilford Road, Steward Road and Willimantic Road have been upgraded. In Willimantic portions of the following streets have been upgraded: U.S. Route 150 and the Elliottsville, Herring Tract, Leighton, Sebec Lake, Titcomb, Willimantic and Wilson Stream roads.

These locations will now qualify for download speeds of up to 15 Mbps2, based on the distance from the customer location to FairPoint’s servicing equipment, which is more than sufficient speed to smoothly stream high-definition video, browse the web or participate in online gaming.

Since April 2008 FairPoint has invested more than $900 million in its communications infrastructure and technology to bring broadband to northern New England, including building thousands of miles of new fiber optic network across the region. FairPoint’s fiber-based, high capacity network offers customers a better, faster way to communicate.

To find out more residential consumers can call 1-866-984-2001 and business customers can call 1-866-984-3001.