Internet Connectivity

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In 2024, 89% of Maine locations have either average or broadband internet, up 3%.

Favorable movement since the last available data

Benchmark: Anyone in Maine who wants a high-speed internet connection can have one by 2025.

Overview Fig. A

Overview

High-speed internet is vital to participation in modern society and critical for communities to attract and retain businesses and residents. The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is committed to expanding access to reliable, high-speed, affordable internet service statewide.

Since 2022, MCA has allocated over $250 million in state and federal funds to enable connectivity for over 80,000 locations. MCA estimates that 39% of  locations now have access to internet that provides 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload (“100/100” or “broadband internet”) or higher. Fifty percent have access to speeds of 100/20 or better (”average service”) but less than 100/100, and 11% can only access internet below 100/20 (”unserved”). This represents a positive trend toward increased connections for Mainers. In just the past year, the percentage of locations with broadband access has doubled in Hancock and Oxford counties (from 11% to 53%) and more than tripled in Androscoggin and Somerset (from 14% to 64%).

Fig. A

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Broadband Internet Service by County, 2024