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Broadband expansion will be key to the state’s future
March 16, 2009
AUGUSTA – A bond proposal before the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs calls for the conversion of the University of Maine System’s Education Broadband Services spectrum (EBS) from analog to digital operation. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Cynthia Dill, D-Cape Elizabeth, says the switch will provide broadband opportunities across the state and generate revenue from the lease of resulting excess capacity on the EBS spectrum.
A public hearing was held Thursday on the proposal, LD 203, which would provide funding for the University to digitize its EBS spectrum channels and bring it in to compliance with Federal Communications Commission regulations.
Although the digital transition may cost around $500 thousand, Dill looks at this proposal as an investment that may pay big dividends. Other states such as Wisconsin have netted over $12 million up-front with projected lease payments totaling over $100 million.
“Converting the EBS signal to digital will free up space on the spectrum and enable the state to lease excess capacity to generate much-needed revenue,” said Dill. “The transition may also help to modernize the University’s online educational programming and extend high-speed Internet access across the state.”
The University of Maine System has delivered educational content over its FCC-licensed EBS for twenty years through its ITV program. After converting to digital, a portion of the EBS spectrum must continue to be used for educational content. ITV may evolve to more online courses.
“This proposal is a sound investment for the University of Maine System and the state of Maine,” said Dill. “Creating new revenue streams for the university system and expanding broadband opportunities in the state are essential for economic development.”
In the coming weeks, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee will consider Dill’s proposed legislation, along with all other bond proposals facing the Legislature this session.
Contact:
Rep. Cynthia Dill, 767-7197
Sean Smith, Legislative Aide, 287-1430
Kyle Leighton, communications director, 287-1433