Consolidated’s fiber rollout in Maine gets $18 million boost from NTIA

Consolidated Communications unveiled plans to deploy its Fidium Fiber service to 22,000 rural homes in Maine, with help from a fresh infusion of cash from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA awarded $277.2 million in funding through its Broadband Infrastructure Program for 13 projects across 12 states. Grants included $28.1 million for the ConnectMaine Authority to help fund last-mile deployments to more than 11,000 locations statewide. ConnectMaine said the money will support a new public-private partnership between itself, three towns and three internet service providers – including Consolidated, Axiom Technologies and LCI Fiber Optic Network. Consolidated indicated it will receive $18.3 million from ConnectMaine, which it will combine with $5.5 million of its own money to reach its target of 22,000 rural locations. Work will begin in the second half of this year and focus on the areas of Blue Hill Peninsula, Rangeley and Farmington. The operator is currently aiming to deliver fiber to 1.6 million locations by 2025, including 450,000 in Maine. It is targeting the addition of around 400,000 total new passings this year and is already building fiber in Bangor, Portland and Rockland (ME).