Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) says that the town of Eastbrook, ME, has asked the communications services provider to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. The gigabit FTTP network will connect almost 500 municipal locations, including both residences and businesses.
The town and Consolidated Communications will share the costs of the deployment. Eastbrook’s share will come from a wind farm tax increment financing agreement it has made with the state. Consolidated expects to complete the FTTP roll out by the end of this year.
“This town-wide fiber network means everyone in Eastbrook will now have access to high-speed internet,” said Julie Curtis, Eastbrook’s first selectman. “Our residents identified the need for critical broadband services, and we are excited to partner with an experienced provider like Consolidated, so that everyone – students, people working from home, local businesses, and those needing telehealth services – can benefit from this new network.”
“We understand high-speed internet access is critical for individuals, families and businesses, and we are committed to working with towns in the region, and across the state, to connect more people with reliable and faster broadband services,” added Rob Koester, senior vice president, consumer product management at Consolidated Communications. Consolidated says it is in the midst of upgrading FTTP connections more than 450,000 locations in Maine by 2025.