Internet Speeds Explained
Most modern Internet services are measured in megabits per second or Mbps. A 1 Mbps connection provides speeds of 1 million bits per second, or roughly 100 pages of plain text per second. Typically, broadband services advertise both download and upload speeds. Download speeds refer to the speed at which you can obtain information from the network (such as by downloading a song), and upload speeds describe the speed at which you can send information back out (such as by sending an email with an attachment). In Maine, the download speeds for residential broadband services range from 768 kbps to 15 mbps . In practical terms, download speed affects how long it takes for a web page to load or to download pictures, or the quality of streaming video. For example, Netflix recommends a broadband connection of at least 1.5 Mbps to stream movies online, at least 3 Mbps to stream DVD quality video, and at least 5 Mbps for HD quality video.
Ratewatcher
For more information on telecom services in Maine download the 2016 Ratewatcher Guide (PDF, 691kb).
2015 Ratewatcher (PDF, 709kb)
2013 Ratewatcher (PDF, 875kb)
Broadband Internet Service Providers
DSL - Cable - Fiber - Satellite - Wireless
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), which is delivered using the existing copper telephone network, is the most widely available internet access technology in Maine today. Download speeds range from 1.5 Mbps to 25 Mbps. Internet access through a DSL connection rarely comes with a data cap, allowing you to stream videos or browse the internet without worrying about overage charges. However, the speed of your connection is dependent on how far you live from the nearest terminal on the telephone company’s network. To find out the speed offered at your specific address, you will need to call the provider and ask them for the upload and download speeds available at your home.
| Company | Counties within which service is provided | Basic Speed Offering (Download/Upload) | Monthly Price | Other speeds available for this service | Contract length | Installation Fee | Equipment Fee | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axiom Technologies | Washington | 5Mbps/1Mbps | $39.99 | Up to 100Mbps | n/a | $99 | $5/mo. | n/a |
| Chebeague.net, LLC | Cumberland | 7Mbps/1Mbps | $39.99 | Up to 30Mbps | n/a | $99 | $5/mo. | n/a |
| FairPoint | All 16 Counties | Up to 15Mbps/1Mbps | $50.99 | Up to 50Mbps/20Mbps | 1 year or monthly is available | $99 | $5.99/mo. Purchase options available rather than lease | $79 |
| FairPoint Classic | Aroostook, Cumberland, Oxford, Piscataquis, Washington | Up to 15Mbps/1Mbps | $60.95 | 50Mbps/20 Mbps | Month to Month | $49.95 | $59.95 | n/a |
| GWI | All 16 Counties | Up to 7Mbps | $46.95 | Up to 20Mbps | n/a | $50 | $1 | $0 |
| Lincolnville Networks | Knox, Lincoln, Waldo | 768Kbps/768Kbps | $38 | Up to 10Mbps/2Mbps | n/a | $0 | $47 | n/a |
| "MaineStream Internet (formerly Cornerstone)" | Penobscot, Piscataquis | 3Mbps/768Kbps | $47.95 | 10Mbps/1Mbps, 20Mbps/1.5Mbps | n/a | $70 | $35 waived with 1 year contract | $0 |
| North Country Broadband | Piscataquis | 1.5 Mbps/384Kbps | $44.95 | Up to 8 Mbps/768 kbps | 12 mos. | $100 | $0 | $250 |
| OTT Communications | Cumberland, Hancock, Penobscot, York | 4 Mbps/1Mbps | $38.45 | Up to 40 Mbps | n/a | $65 | $10 | n/a |
| Oxford Networks | Androscoggin, Oxford | 5Mbps/1Mbps | $39.95 | Up to 24Mbps | n/a | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Premium Choice Broadband | Hancock | 1.5Mbps/384Kbps | $39.95 | Up to 5Mbps/768Kbps | 1 or 2 year contracts available | $49.95 with 2 year agreement or $149.95 with 1 year agreement | $0 | $199.95 with 2 year agreement or $99.95 with 1 year agreement |
| TDS Telecom | Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Penebscot, Somerset | 1Mbps/512Mbps | $28.95 | Up to 25Mbps | 1Mbps/12 mos. | $0 | $4.95/mo. | $99 |
| Tidewater Telecom, Inc. | Knox, Lincoln, Waldo | 768Kbps/768Kbps | $38 | Up to 10Mbps/2Mbps | n/a | $0 | $47 | n/a |
| UniTel | Kennebec, Penobscot , Waldo | 4Mbps/1Mbps | $19.99 | Up to 10Mbps/10Mbps, Higher speeds available upon request | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Cable
If you already have access to cable TV at your home, then you are likely able to receive internet from your cable provider as well. In general, cable provides faster download speeds than DSL. Download speeds with cable range from 3 Mbps to over 100 Mbps. Currently, most cable companies offer access to the internet without data caps. Comcast Xfinity does have a data cap, but increased that limit to 1000 gigabytes in June, a limit not often reached by casual internet users.
| Company | Counties within which service is provided | Basic Speed Offering (Download/Upload) | Monthly Price | Other speeds available for this service | Contract length | Installation Fee | Equipment Fee | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bee Line Cable | Franklin, Penobscot, Somerset | 1 Mbps/256Kbps | $34.95 | Up to 10Mbps/1 Mbps | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Charter, formerly Time Warner Cable | All 16 Counties | 2Mbps/1Mbps | $14.99 | Up to 50Mbps/5Mbps | n/a | Free self install | None if customer owned modem | $0 |
| Comcast | Cumberland, Sagadahoc, York | 10Mbps/2Mbps | $49.95 | Up to 2Gbps/2Gbps | n/a | $80 | Voice/Data modem $10/mo. | n/a |
| MetroCast Communications | York | 1.5Mbps/384Kbps | $29.95 | Up to 105Mbps/10Mbps | n/a | $100 | $7 | n/a |
| Premium Choice Broadband | Piscataquis | 1.5Mbps/512Kbps | $29.95 | Up to 5Mbps/1.5Mbps | Month to Month | $49.95 | $0 | $0 |
Fiber
For residential customers, fiber optic cable which uses light waves to transmit its signal provides internet access at the fastest speeds available in Maine reaching download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Fiber is not available everywhere, but is growing every year.
| Company | Counties within which service is provided | Basic Speed Offering (Download/Upload) | Monthly Price | Other speeds available for this service | Contract length | Installation Fee | Equipment Fee | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axiom Technologies | Washington | 10Mbps/10Mbps | $50 | Up to 1Gbps | varies | varies | varies | varies |
| Bluestreak | Parts of Waldo | 15Mbps/15Mbps | $69.95 | Up to 100Mbps/100Mbps | n/a | $200 | $10 | n/a |
| FairPoint | York | 75Mbps/35Mbps | $94.99 | Up to 150Mbps/75Mbps | 2 year, 1 year and monthly available | $129.99 | $8.99/mo. - purchase available also | $149.99 |
| GWI | All but Androscoggin | 100Mbps | $69.95 | none | 1 year | $300 minimum | $0 | remainder of year |
| Lincolnville Communicatons | Knox, Lincoln, Waldo | 10Mbps/10Mbps | $68 | 1Gbps/1Gbps & beyond | n/a | $0 | $0 | n/a |
| Lincolnville Networks | Knox, Lincoln, Waldo | 10Mbps/10Mbps | $68 | 1Gbps/1Gbps & beyond | n/a | $0 | $0 | n/a |
| MaineStream Internet (formerly Cornerstone) | Penobscot, Piscataquis | 10Mbps/10Mbps | $54.95 | Up to 50Mbps/50Mbps | 1 year | $149.95 | Included in installation fee | 80% of remaining contract term |
| North Country Broadband | Piscataquis | 5 Mbps/5 Mbps | $44.95 | Up to 15Mbps/15Mbps | 12 mos. | $199.95 | $0 | $250 |
| OTT Communications | Cumberland, Penobscot | 50Mbps/50Mbps | $49.99 | Up to 150Mbps | n/a | $75 | $10 | n/a |
| TDS Telecom | Penebscot | 1Mbps/512Kbps | $28.95 | Up to 50Mbps | 1Mbps/12 mos. | $0 | $4.95/mo. | $99 |
| Tidewater Telecom | Knox, Lincoln, Waldo | 10Mbps/10Mbps | $68 | 1Gbps/1Gbps & beyond | n/a | $0 | $0 | n/a |
| Union River | Portions of Hancock, Washington | 5Mbps/1Mbps | $44.95 | Up to 30Mbps/25Mbps | 6 mos. | $0 | $0 | $25.00 if cancelled within the first 6 mos. |
| UniTel | Kennebec Penobscot, Waldo | 15Mbps/15Mbps | $69.95 | Up to 100Mbps/100Mbps | n/a | $200 | $10.92 | n/a |
Satellite
Those living in places without DSL, cable or fiber internet options must rely on wireless technologies for internet access. The most well-known option is provided via satellite. Like satellite TV, customers need to install a dish at their home. Most plans include data caps that limit the amount of data you can use each month without incurring an overage charge. The signal can also fail if bad weather disrupts communication with the satellite. Satellite service provides internet download speeds from 2 Mbps to 15 Mbps.
| Company | Counties within which service is provided | Basic Speed Offering (Download/Upload) | Monthly Price | Other speeds available for this service | Contract length | Installation Fee | Equipment Fee | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excede | All 16 Counties | 12Mbps/3Mbps | $49.99 | n/a | 24 mos. | $0 | $9.99/mo. | no fee if equipment is returned |
| HughesNet | All 16 Counties | 5Mbps/1Mbps | $29.99 | Up to 15Mbps/2Mbps | 24 mos. | Up to $200 | $9.99/mo. | up to $400 |
Wireless
Wireless internet access is growing at a rapid pace across Maine. The wireless options listed on the Broadband Internet Service Provider chart are “fixed”: the technology is designed to reach your address and serve your needs at home. As with DSL, this technology is distance dependent. You home needs to be near a tower or relay point to access the internet with a reliable and fast connection. Wireless download speeds range from 1.5 Mbps to 25 Mbps.
| Company | Counties within which service is provided | Basic Speed Offering (Download/Upload) | Monthly Price | Other speeds available for this service | Contract length | Installation Fee | Equipment Fee | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aroostook Technologies Inc. | Aroostook | 2Mbps/1Mbps | $39.95 | 5Mbps/2Mbps, 10Mbps/2Mbps | 12 mos. | $139 | n/a | Balance of Contract |
| Axiom Technologies | Washington | 3Mbps/1Mbps | $39.99 | Up to 20Mbps | 12 mos. | $99 | n/a | $250 |
| Bluestreak | Parts of Waldo | 3Mbps/1Mbps | $34.99 | Up to 15Mbps/15Mbps | n/a | $99.95/fee varies | n/a | n/a |
| GWI | Cumberland (towns limited), Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadohoc | Up to 5Mbps | $40 | Up to 10Mbps | n/a | $100 | $65 | $0 |
| North Countery Broadband | Piscataquis | 1.5Mbps/384Kbps | $44.95 | Up to 5Mbps/768Kbps | 12 months | $0 with 2 year agreement or $99.95 with 1 year agreement | $0 | $250 |
| Premium Choice Broadband | Hancock, Penebscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo | 1.5Mbps/384Kbps | $49.95 | Up to 5Mbps/768Kbps | 1 or 2 year contract | $0 with 2 year agreement or $99.95 with 1 year agreement | $0 | $199.95 with 2 year agreement or $99.95 with 1 year agreement |
| Redzone Wireless | Androscoggin, Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Sagadahoc | 20Mbps/2Mbps | $39 | Up to 200Mbps/200Mbps | n/a | $50 | $0 | $0 |
Updated - October 27, 2016