PORTLAND, Maine — While broadband speed in Maine may be slow, broadband on Maine's year-round islands is even slower, which is having a significant negative effect on their economies. That's according to a new report released today by the Island Institute which indicates that almost all of Maine's islands have substandard broadband service.
The report estimates that full access to broadband speeds on Maine islands would increase GDP in those communities by $90 million over ten years and lead to the creation of 170 coastal jobs by 2028.
Speaking at a press conference in Portland this morning, Island Institute Development Director Briana Warner says it looks like there'll be a lot of collaboration among the islands as they work to improve their broadband service, especially regionally.
"There are huge advantages to working together because these islands are often so small that there's a lot more power behind working together and, quite frankly, they have all of the same issues so it makes a lot of sense," she says.
The ConnectME Authority's Lisa Leahy says the report shows that broadband, like other forms of infrastructure, is critical to economic growth.
"Broadband is a vital connection to the world," she says. "It's every bit as important for Maine as roads and piers and airports. It provides our island communities and remote coastal locations with the opportunity to overcome longstanding problems of isolation and distance from markets, education, government and health care."
Warner says that for Maine's islands to be at least as connected as the rest of the country, state and federal resources will be needed as well as support from incumbent service providers.
