Pioneer files comments on FCC experimental trials
HOULTON — Pioneer Broadband submitted an “Expression of Interest” in participating in the Rural Broadband Experiments announced at the Jan. 30 FCC Open Meeting.
The “Expression of Interest” is the first step in a federal grant program with the goal of bringing high-speed Internet access to rural areas without service.
Until recently, the funding was reserved exclusively for large telephone companies. Pioneer is seeking to expand Maine broadband access to the many areas of rural Maine that do not have service. The FCC’s new Rural Broadband Experiment initiative will help further the goals of their Connect America Fund.
Pioneer’s proposal recommends that fiber-optic lines be connected to rural homes and businesses. Tim McAfee, CEO of Pioneer Broadband says, “Fiber-optic lines provide the greatest capacity to deliver high-speed Internet as demand for faster Internet grows. We’ve seen a dramatic increase in customer demand in the last two years.”
Pioneer has eight active fiber-to-the-home projects and the customer response for this service has been well received.
Pioneer proposed that new construction of 500 miles of new fiber optic lines be built to better serve the areas without service that exist around Aroostook, Washington and Penobscot Counties. Many of the areas that are not served today have no other sensible option than fiber service.
For years, Pioneer’s motto has been, “Crossing the Digital Divide.” If the FCC approves Connect America funding for Pioneer, these new service areas will be more major “crossings” in the overall network improvement for Pioneer’s Internet customers in rural Maine.
Pioneer Broadband’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, with Tech Support available until 6 p.m. For more information, call toll-free, 1-866-335-1254, or see www.PioneerBroadband.net.
