Maine Connectivity Authority

As a reminder, on June 6, the National Telecommunications Information Administration released a Policy Notice that calls for the restructuring of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The program is slated to bring $272 million to Maine to provide high-speed internet to homes and businesses across the State. These mandatory changes require an evolution of the Maine Connectivity Authority’s current program design and process.

The Maine Connectivity Authority announces the launch of the Maine Tech Share program, a digital opportunity initiative developed in partnership with Maine’s only nonprofit device refurbisher, give IT. get IT. The program enables Maine businesses and institutions to safely recycle underutilized or unused devices, which are then refurbished and distributed to families and individuals, providing the technology needed for participation in today’s digital society. MCA’s goal is to source 25,000 devices, which will be wiped of data and refurbished for redistribution by give IT. get IT. give IT.

The Maine Connectivity Authority, the agency leading the statewide expansion of broadband and digital opportunity in Maine, has received a notification from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration that as of Friday, May 9, it has terminated three grants totaling $35 million in funding for Maine. These grants funded programs to improve digital skills, provide internet safety education and ensure people have affordable devices.

The Maine Connectivity Authority is the state agency responsible for implementing the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The MCA team and partners have worked tens of thousands of hours over the past three years to develop and execute thou

The Maine Connectivity Authority believes there are several ways to both accelerate and improve the BEAD program, reducing barriers and maximizing the Return On Investment (ROI):

Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), the public agency leading the statewide expansion of broadband and digital equity in Maine, has opened a competitive grant program for Maine-based organizations. The program will enable greater opportunities for individuals and communities through access to digital skills, devices, internet safety education, and technical support. In the first phase of the Digital Opportunity Networks grant program application, MCA is accepting letters of intent from nonprofits, state agencies, local and Tribal governments and similar public entities.

Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), the public agency leading the statewide expansion of broadband and digital equity in Maine, announces the opening of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Project Application, where applicants will submit bids to provide high-speed, reliable internet to locations still struggling with slow or unreliable service, or no internet connection at all. Maine was allocated $272 million in federal funding from the BEAD Program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), the agency leading the statewide expansion of broadband and digital opportunity in Maine, announces the enrollment portal for the Working Internet ASAP (WIA) Program is now open. Approximately 1.5 percent of Maine homes and businesses have no access to any type of internet service or technology, and this program provides the option for connectivity to these previously unreachable locations.

The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), the public agency leading the statewide expansion of broadband and digital equity in Maine, announced the launch of the Working Internet ASAP (WIA) Program to connect the hardest-to-reach places across the state. This program is one way that MCA is fulfilling the commitment to provide all people in Maine with an option to connect to the internet by the end of 2024.