Maine PUC finds FairPoint on target to hit broadband benchmark

FairPoint Communications is on target to provide high-speed Internet access to 83 percent of its customers by year's end, the Maine Public Utilities Commission determined.

In a special meeting, the three commissioners referred to the results of an informal, day-long meeting Monday between FairPoint, the PUC staff and the Public Advocate's Office. That meeting focused on technical details of how to assess FairPoint's progress in achieving a pre-set goal for broadband. Following recommendations from the meeting, the PUC decided there's no need to open an investigation into the issue, an action that it considered. FairPoint bought Verizon's landline business in 2008 and became Maine's largest phone company. As a condition of the controversial sale, FairPoint agreed to extend broadband service to 87 percent of its customers in five years. As interim steps, it must reach 85 percent by July of 2012 and 83 percent by the end of 2010. That first benchmark appears to be in reach, the PUC's staff determined.