PORTLAND — The Maine Connectivity Authority has launched an important public education campaign called Correct the Dots, a call to action for people to look up their addresses on new online maps and challenge if the information is incorrect.
“High-speed, reliable Internet is critical to Maine’s future. Right now, across the province, small businesses and families are at a disadvantage because they don’t have access to reliable broadband internet. “One of the first steps to expanding broadband to the areas that need it most is to ensure that the federal government has accurate information about where broadband is available and where it is not,” said Andrew Butcher, president of the Maine Connectivity Authority. “Internet maps will help determine how government resources are distributed among regions and how those resources are used in an improved Internet. If we want Maine to have the resources it needs to reach everyone, we need the maps to be as accurate as possible.”
The Mainers’ staff has until Jan. 12 to check their address and challenge the information on the new maps, created by the Federal Communications Commission.
“It’s easy to check your address and help us Fix the Dots,” Butcher said. “We have already identified hundreds of errors in the new internet maps. We need everyone’s help. The challenge process is simple and only takes a few minutes, but the results can help us improve the credibility of Maine people and ensure that every community in the state has affordable, high-speed, efficient access.”
Two types of challenges can be entered. The first is to correct incorrect information about the type of service at your home, camp or business. The second challenge is whether reliable broadband is available in that area.
The steps to check your address and challenge are simple:
- Use the map at https://www.maineconnectivity.org/challenge to check your address.
- If the information about the broadband service offered at your home, camp or business is incorrect, click the availability challenge. Fill out the form and click submit.
- If there is no point at your home, camp or business, place a pin on the map and click Challenge Location. Fill out the form and click submit.
- Encourage your friends and neighbors to check their addresses, too.
Last year, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. This Act includes a significant investment of $65 billion to help close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to reliable, high-speed and affordable broadband.
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access through funding planning, infrastructure deployment and deployment programs in all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Each will receive a minimum of $100 million to fund the construction of reliable high-speed Internet. Additional money will be distributed to states based on the number of unserved areas.
“Millions of dollars — and our ability to connect Maine communities — are at stake. We have to sort out the dots and make sure the federal government has the most accurate information,” Butcher said.
Established in 2021, the Maine Connectivity Authority is a quasi-governmental agency responsible for universal access to high-speed broadband in Maine and is designed to address the state’s communications needs while managing an unprecedented influx of funds to develop the state. broadband infrastructure.
It is led by experienced staff and a board appointed by Gov. Janet Mills, MCA will work to ensure three goals: That effective, accessible communication is available worldwide; to have a secure, affordable, reliable, competitive, sustainable, and forward-looking infrastructure that can meet future needs; and that all citizens, businesses, and institutions in Maine can take full advantage of the economic, health, educational and other opportunities available through connectivity services. For more information visit maineconnectivity.org.