MPUC: FP on Track with Broadband Target Reporting
December 15, 2010
Augusta, Maine—As a result of a productive day-long meeting on Monday between FairPoint engineers, Commission staff and staff of the Public Advocate’s Office (OPA), the Maine Public Utilities Commission declined today to open a proceeding regarding FairPoint’s compliance with the interim broadband build-out requirement it must meet by December 31, 2010. Commission staff reported that significant progress was made at the meeting to identify the measures being utilized by FairPoint to track its progress in building out broadband, and to preserve such information in a form which will allow the Commission to verify results to be filed by FairPoint at the Commission in January 2011.
“It appears that regardless of the method of calculation adopted by the Commission, FairPoint is likely to meet the required 83% broadband build-out milestone by the December 31st deadline and so no investigation is needed at this time,” stated Commission Chair Jack Cashman. “It is clear that the economic development benefits from FairPoint’s broadband build-out obligations are of profound importance to FairPoint’s ratepayers and the citizens of Maine.”
The Commission instructed staff and the Company to work during the next several weeks to resolve issues related to the definition of qualified lines, addressability of lines and other issues involved in the broadband build-out targets, in the hope that such issues might be resolved expeditiously in a Commission Order.
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The Maine Public Utilities Commission regulates electric, telephone, water and gas utilities to ensure that Maine citizens have access to safe and reliable utility service at rates that are just and reasonable for all ratepayers. Commission programs include Maine Enhanced 911 Service, Dig Safe, and Efficiency Maine.
Contact: Evelyn deFrees, 207-287-6141 or evelyn.defrees@maine.gov
