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Maine's BEAD Project Application is NOW OPEN!

Qualified applicants will now request BEAD funding to serve approximately 26,000 homes and businesses and 2,500 Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) such as libraries, community centers, and healthcare facilities across the State with high-speed internet. Read the press release.

High-speed Broadband for Maine

The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is committed to expanding access to reliable, high-speed and affordable internet service statewide.

MCA has three primary goals:

Expand effective, accessible connectivity in every part of the state;
Support the creation of secure, affordable, reliable, competitive, sustainable and forward-looking internet infrastructure that can meet future needs; and
Ensure that all residents, businesses and institutions in Maine be able to take full advantage of the economic, health, educational and other opportunities available through connectivity services.

Focusing on projects, places and people, the MCA is advancing digital equity for all Mainers. Established in 2021, MCA is a quasi-governmental agency charged with achieving universal access to affordable high-speed broadband in Maine.

Maine's BEAD Project Application

Phase 1: Prospective Applicant Pre-Qualification Evaluation

(September 18 - October 18, 2024)

Prospective applicants will submit organizational-level information (technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity) that demonstrates their ability to meet the requirements of the BEAD program.
Applicants will also be presented with a map of draft Project Service Areas (PSAs) and asked to indicate which they intend to apply for. Learn more about PSAs below.

Phase 2: BEAD Project Application

(January 17, 2025 - February 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST)

Pre-Qualified Applicants approved in Phase 1 will be invited to submit project applications for BEAD funding.
Applicants will provide project-level information, including a bid for specific Project Service Areas (PSAs).

Pre-Qualified Applicants

Project Kuiper (Amazon)
Axiom Technologies
Charter Communications
Consolidated Communications
Comcast
UniTel (Direct Communications)
GWI
INTUS Group
LCI Fiber
Outer Reach Broadband
Pioneer Broadband
Rivahnet (Union River Telephone)
Sebago Fiber
UScellular
Wireless Partners

The Subgrantee Selection Process (SSP) is a two-step process through which MCA will evaluate and select prospective applicants and determine how BEAD funding will be distributed to specific Project Service Areas (PSAs). Through Maine's BEAD Pre-Qualification Evaluation, MCA is happy to announce that fifteen prospective applicants have been pre-qualified after a thorough review confirming their capacity from an operational, technical, financial and compliance perspective. We are excited to work with the following pre-qualified applicants that represent Maine-based and national companies providing service through a variety of technologies.

MCA Grant Portal - BEAD Project Application

BEAD Project Application Guidance

The Qualified Applicant Broadband Equity Access Deployment (BEAD) Project Application Guidance is now available. This guidance details all questions the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) will ask pre-qualified applicants during the BEAD Project Application (BPA), the second phase in MCA’s two-part Subgrantee Selection Process. MCA may release subsequent versions of this guidance ahead of the BEAD Project Application opening, and will track changes in subsequent versions.

BEAD Project Application Guidance V3

Visualizing MCA's Mission

The Maine Connectivity Authority’s Broadband Intelligence Platform presents important data about internet access and service in Maine. The interactive map below includes information about broadband service availability and funding awards.

For a list of service providers at a specific address, click here to access the FCC's map.

Use this tool on a mobile device

Service Classification Map: Based on June 30, 2024 FCC Broadband Data Collection. Accessible maps are available upon request by emailing info@maineconnectivity.org.

Recent & Upcoming Meetings

The Maine Connectivity Authority Board of Directors meetings are open to the public in a virtual format. Meetings serve as an opportunity to learn about MCA's strategy and activities as well as funding and partnership opportunities. Click here to view recordings of previous meetings.

February 28, 2025

MCA Board Meeting