Charter buys Maine Broadband Provider Bee Line, invests $82 Million

Charter Communications is flexing some muscle in Maine in the face of growing fiber coverage from the likes of Consolidated Communications. Charter plans to invest a total $82 million over the coming years and scooped up Bee Line Cable to flesh out its footprint in the central part of the state. Bee Line boasts 300 miles of fiber cable, which it uses to serve internet and digital voice products to consumers in Anson, East Millinocket, Farmington, Industry, Madison, Millinocket, Skowhegan, and Wilton. While its network was originally built with cable, Bee Line began overbuilding its footprint with fiber in 2002. It currently offers speed tiers ranging from 30 Mbps up to 500 Mbps.  Charter has already secured the necessary regulatory approvals for the deal and expects it to close “soon.” Once the transaction is complete, Charter plans “to invest millions in its network and operations in communities currently served by Bee Line” and will eventually offer Bee Line customers its Spectrum line of connectivity services, with speed tiers starting at 300 Mbps.