TDS Telecom wins $1.3M grant for Maine rural broadband upgrades

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) is pleased to be awarded more than $1.3 million in state grant funding to upgrade a portion of its network in rural Maine.

The Maine Connectivity Authority awarded the funding through its Reach Me program. The grant helps cover “last mile” line extension upgrades in five communities: Kingfield, New Vineyard, North New Portland, Solon, and Strong. The TDS network will be upgraded to fiber internet, with speeds up to 8Gig.

“This funding will help bring faster internet speeds to more than 800 service addresses in Somerset and Franklin counties,” said Drew Petersen, TDS Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “No matter where you live, it’s more important than ever to have a strong, reliable internet connection. We thank the Maine Connectivity Authority for approving our application and look forward to beginning work later this year.”

The grant funding is supplemented by funds from TDS.

The project is just one component of TDS’ work to expand fiber communication services to a number of municipalities in Maine, which TDS has served since 1971. In addition to private investment and state grants, TDS is leveraging Alternative Connect America funds to expand and improve broadband service to customers in Maine.

TDS is also a participant in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Qualified ACP customers can receive symmetrical speeds up to 200Mbps at no cost with the company’s TDS Connect product.  

Media Contact: Mark Schaaf | Associate Manager - Communications | TDS Telecom | 414-326-3588 | mark.schaaf@tdstelecom.com  

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