Washington County...Connected!

all things broadband in Washington County

(and beyond)

SCEC IS HIRING!

SCEC is seeking a motivated, community-oriented individual to promote and register community members for the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federal program that helps low-income households afford Internet access.

FIERCE Telecom: NTIA needs more time to craft Buy America rules for BEAD

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) beat its June 30 deadline to announce the amounts it will award each state through its $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, but now the clock is ticking as states and broadband service providers await another milestone. The NTIA has yet to clarify how state broadband deployments can comply with the Build America Buy America Act (BABA).

IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, AS FEW AS 14% 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?

DO YOU NEED HELP APPLYING FOR THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM? COULD YOU USE ASSISTANCE LEARNING HOW TO USE YOUR DEVICE?

The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) can assist you, or someone you know, at no cost! Simply fill out a form and a Digital Navigator will contact you (or a friend) to assist.

Digital Navigators help people with initial intake into NDEC's many programs and classes, assist with initial device set up questions, guide participants in selecting and registering for appropriate classes, and assist with completion of the application to the the FCC Affordable Connectivity Program.

And yes, assistance and classes are free to all Maine residents!

Maine Connectivity Authority works actively with local, state, and federal policy-makers to ensure that we can accomplish our mission of ensuring everyone in Maine has a reliable affordable internet connection by effectively deploying funding broadband infrastructure and ensuring digital equity for all Mainers.

In the past week, Governor Mills has signed three bills into law that MCA provided testimony and feedback on and will impact connectivity initiatives around 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!