BETHEL — Since the last Mahoosuc Broadband Committee Update, FirstLight submitted an application to the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) to expand its fiber network and provide high-speed internet service to all residents in Bethel, Gilead, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock and Albany, and Milton Townships.

FirstLight’s application was one of 28 applications MCA received, requesting over $100 million in grant funding. The Committee is disappointed to report that FirstLight’s application was not among the 12 funded proposals in this round. This is an extremely competitive process. The projects funded by MCA focused primarily on “unserved” areas while FirstLight’s proposal included expanding service to currently “underserved” areas. This approach matched our goal of providing everyone in the Mahoosuc region with a future-ready fiber connection. Unfortunately, it also ended up making the proposal less competitive.

Based on feedback from MCA and follow-up meetings with participating town managers, FirstLight is revising its application for the second round of Connect the Ready funding. The application deadline has not been announced and is expected this summer or possibly in the fall.

The Committee, towns, and the County remain committed to expanding universal, high-speed internet service to all locations in the region. The agreement between First Light and the towns and County will need to be revised for a new application and our shared goal is to retain the original terms that were negotiated for the first agreement:

•  High-speed (10 gbps) service is available to all locations receiving electrical service

•  No data caps or throttling

•  No required bundling

•  Free installation for new subscribers for one year after construction is complete

•  Reduced residential and business pricing

•  No price increases for three years after construction is complete

As the Committee, towns, County, and FirstLight collaborate on a revised application and agreements, more information will be forthcoming.