FairPoint upgrades broadband capabilities in 13 Maine towns, offers 25 Mbps for eligible customers

FairPoint Communications has upgraded its COs in 13 Maine towns, enabling it to bring faster broadband speed to over 32,450 locations.

The towns that will get the benefit of these upgrades include: Brownville, Bucksport, Columbia, Danforth, Dixfield, Frenchville, Guilford, Lubec, Madison, Monson, Skowhegan, Waldoboro and Wells.

By making these upgrades, FairPoint said it can deliver a range of broadband internet options to these communities, including a 25 Mbps speed option. Since the majority of the upgrades for DSL-based services leverage existing copper, only a select group of subscribers will be able to get the 25 Mbps speeds.

Maine has been a key focal point for FairPoint. Over the past two years, the service provider has upgraded 46 COs with DSLAM equipment to bring higher speed services to over 65,400 locations throughout Maine.

In addition, FairPoint has invested more than $900 million in its northern New England communications infrastructure and technology since April 2008, enabling the company to reach new customers, upgrade its network and expand internet access.

Mike Reed, Maine state president for FairPoint, said that this latest build will bring "broadband to Mainers who have little or no high-speed access while boosting capacity and speed in areas where demand is especially strong."

Outside of Maine, FairPoint has been making similar upgrades in New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.

Besides its own organic builds, the service provider is leveraging funds to expand broadband availability in more rural areas via the FCC's CAF-II program.

Previously, FairPoint accepted $37.4 million in CAF-II funding, an amount that will enable the telco to build network infrastructure to deliver 10/1 Mbps broadband services to nearly 105,000 locations in 14 states. These upgrades could potentially improve speeds for other residential and business customers along the route.

However, the telco told investors during its first quarter earnings call that won't likely have any major impact on its broadband subscriber base until the end of this year.

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