Television service to be added
HOULTON — Pioneer Broadband, a local telecommunications provider, has announced its installation of fiber optic Internet for residents of Houlton should be complete by mid-fall.
The project includes 54 miles of new fiber optic lines with the potential to serve 3,500 homes and businesses. Completion of the new network has been spearheaded by Pioneer’s CEO, Timothy McAfee.
“Within the 54-mile network, our plan is to enhance overall system reliability by creating multiple 10Gig and 40Gig self-healing rings,” McAfee said. “If a break occurs in one location, the data traffic will automatically flow in another direction across the network so our customers’ service will remain connected, online and active.”
McAfee also reported on Pioneer’s plan to add cable TV services, “Pioneer recently petitioned the town of Houlton for the rights to become a Cable TV provider. Cable TV is easily distributed over the new fiber network and Houlton will be Pioneer’s third community to have the video product. Sherman and Stacyville were completed earlier this year. Pioneer is positioned to be a wholesale cable TV provider for municipal and competitive broadband operators throughout the state.”
“I strongly support business investment in fiber infrastructure in Maine,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “While Maine has made tremendous progress with our broadband infrastructure, some areas, especially in rural Maine, require businesses stepping up to bring Maine to modern connectivity with the world. This announcement is very important for Houlton, and I applaud Pioneer Broadband’s investment.”
Chris Anderson, president of Pioneer Broadband, reinforced the company’s priority: “Making Houlton and the surrounding towns of northern Maine ‘high-tech ready’ is a win-win strategy for Pioneer and the communities we serve!”
“Northern Maine has almost always been at a disadvantage with southern Maine when it comes to economic development opportunities,” said Jon McLaughlin, executive director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation. “Not so with Internet connectivity anymore. Pioneer Broadband has ushered in new opportunities for area businesses that need the ability to have increased speeds and capacity that true fiber connectivity offers. With their Canadian redundant backbone, increased capacity and resiliency they are putting Houlton on the technological map. Data center operators need to be aware that Houlton has the lowest electric costs in New England and a cool climate — an ideal location.”
New customers are being added daily in Pioneer’s northeast section which was completed last year. There will continue to be service trucks on the roads as the new installations occur. Drivers should use caution in the traffic areas where the lift trucks and splice vans will be working. For a map of streets showing service availability see: www.PioneerBroadband.net.
This Houlton project is privately funded by Pioneer Broadband.
