A shortage of fiber-optic cable will delay the start of work on a townwide fiber buildout in Bremen, but Tidewater Telecom Inc. remains confident that it can complete the job on time.
Manufacturers of fiber-optic cable are struggling to keep up with booming demand, according to Alan Hinsey, director of marketing and sales for Tidewater. Those supply-chain issues have delayed delivery by about 10 weeks, so the provider will now start work on the installation in November or December.
The demand for high-speed, reliable internet has grown as people across the world work and study from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June, Bremen and Tidewater won a $120,000 grant from the ConnectMaine Authority to make fiber-optic internet connections available to every household in Bremen. Tidewater will invest $480,435, or 80% of the $600,435 project cost.
Despite the setback, Tidewater is confident that it can finish the project before the grant expires July 1, 2021. Hinsey said Tidewater will complete other parts of the project while it waits for the fiber.
Christa Thorpe, chair of the Bremen Broadband Committee, announced the delay at a meeting of the Bremen Board of Selectmen on Thursday, July 2.
Thorpe said the broadband committee will now focus on the installation of several public hotspots throughout the town to give residents internet access in the short term. This temporary measure will be particularly important if schools do not reopen for in-person instruction this fall.
“I’m thinking about kids in the fall who might need to pull into a parking lot to submit an assignment,” said Thorpe, who also serves on the Bremen School Committee.
In consultation with the selectmen and community members, the broadband committee will compile a “wish list” of about 10 locations in Bremen where public hotspots can be installed or where Wi-Fi extenders can strengthen existing public internet connections.
Thorpe suggested looking into locations on Heath Road, Keene Neck Road, and Medomak Road, and investing in an extender for the Wi-Fi available at the library.
Public enthusiasm for the broadband project remains high.
“I have already gotten emails from people moving to Bremen who want to make sure their houses will be connected to fiber,” Thorpe said.
Wendy Pieh, chair of the board of selectmen, reiterated the board’s support for the project.
“You did an incredible job,” Pieh said to Thorpe. “We appreciate it more than we can say.”
On an invitation from Thorpe, the selectmen voted unanimously to film a short video endorsing Question 1 – a $15 million bond issue that would further expand broadband access in Maine. In the video, the selectmen state their support of the measure as a board, but do not speak on behalf of the town.
Maine voters will decide the bond issue at the polls Thursday, July 14. Question 1 asks, “Do you favor a $15,000,000 bond issue to invest in high-speed internet infrastructure for unserved and underserved areas, to be used to match up to $30,000,000 in federal, private, local or other funds?”
The video will be used as part of a campaign by the Yes on 1 campaign.
