Bills take aim at the University of Maine's role in broadband expansion

Two bills have been introduced in the Maine Legislature aimed at limiting the University of Maine System's ability to participate in efforts to expand broadband access in the state, but UMS officials say the bills are not needed. Sen. Lisa Marrache (D-Waterville), the assistant Senate majority leader, has introduced a bill that would ban the system from using any tuition money to help pay for efforts to expand broadband access. "People are paying money in to go to college," she said, "I don't think any of that money should be used to subsidize the broadband effort that really is competing with the private sector." State Sen Marrache said constituents raised the issue with her after charges were leveled this summer that UMS is competing with private companies in the broadband business. Severin Beliveau, an Augusta attorney representing FairPoint, blasted UMS at a meeting of the State Broadband Advisory Council, arguing their participation in a group seeking federal funds was improper competition with the private sector. Jeff Letourneau, associate director of information technology at UMS, said the university is part of a private-public partnership created to provide broadband capacity at a "wholesale" level and the university's role is minor. "The grant from the federal government went to GWI [Great Works Internet] and two private investors," he said. "As for tuition subsidizing our broadband efforts, that does not happen and will not happen." (12/30)