Washington County...Connected!

all things broadband in Washington County

(and beyond)

IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, AS FEW AS 20% OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE ENROLLED IN THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVY PROGRAM

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. 

You can even find out if you qualify without going through the entire application process!

Does your household qualify?

ACP AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - DANFORTH - AUGUST 5!

SCEC, in collaboration with the National Digital Equity Center and the Greater East Grand Region Economic Council, will conduct an ACP awareness campaign on August 5 at Danforth's Summer Fest.

You can find our booth close to the Visitor's Information Center and we hope to see you there!

QUESTIONING INTERNET SPEEDS REPORTED BY ISPs

BEAD rules stipulate that unserved locations (25/3 or less) must be served before underserved locations (100/20 or less) to receive grants and Maine Connectivity Authority’s next round of Connect the Ready funding is also limited to unserved locations only.

So for those places that fall in the middle, where service is still inadequate but the (mostly) cable and (some) DSL providers claim speeds above 25/3, what can be done to improve the situation?

First, as we all know, the FCC maps are… imperfect. A big part of the reason is because of those dubious speed claims. Speed testing is vital to fair and equitable distribution of grant funds.

ANOTHER INTERNET SAFETY TIP!

Have you ever checked your email on a friend’s computer or library computer?

Do you know how to make sure that no one else can access your email account after you have left that shared computer? 

Learn how to do so if Google Chrome is the browser that you are using and it's 6 easy steps!

The National Digital Equity Center offers more than 40 free classes that are designed for the novice device user to the intermediate user. Classes are free for all Maine residents and can be taken in an online interactive format or in-person at locations across the state.

If your community is considering its options, or ready to get started on broadband improvements, Sunrise County Economic Council is here to assist communities across Washington County. 

SCEC can assist - at no cost - with forming a committee, providing community surveys, locating grant funding, and more!