PRESS RELEASE: Large State-Owned Infrastructure Project Advances in Maine, Seeks New Partners

Construction to complete next year, with benefits to communities, public and private entities

PORTLAND, Maine – Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), the public agency leading statewide broadband expansion, seeks new partners to support operations, maintenance, engineering and commercialization services for the Maine Online Optical Statewide Enabling Network (MOOSE Net). The statewide border-to-border fiber ‘highway’ is among the solutions MCA is leading to improve broadband access for all people and communities in Maine now and into the future

MOOSE Net is a middle-mile network made up of high-capacity fiber optic wires that carries large amounts of data at high speeds over long distances, enabling an array of other telecommunications infrastructure. When complete, it will serve as a commercial product for internet service providers, data processing centers, and mobile carriers, and will be available at competitive rates to community anchor institutions like libraries, hospitals and universities to further increase public access to broadband statewide.

“MOOSE Net is one of the most important projects of our time, representing the opportunity for private companies to invest in public infrastructure,” said Andrew Butcher, Maine Connectivity Authority President. “The impact of this investment will be improved connectivity, increased affordability, and added resiliency” Butcher added.

To achieve the project’s goals, MOOSE Net will require a qualified partner for operations, maintenance, and commercialization. MCA is seeking feedback on two potential structures: 1) a long term network operator agreement, and 2) a potential Joint Venture structure in which a private partner and MCA both hold an equity interest in a newly established entity. This Request for Information is an opportunity for MCA to better understand potential interest in these proposed approaches.

MOOSE Net’s construction is being facilitated by a $30 million federal grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The project has drawn support from private and public partners in Maine, including the Maine Department of Transportation, who was a partner on the federal grant proposal.

“MCA’s partnership with MaineDOT will ensure that MOOSE Net is built as an intrinsic part of Maine’s infrastructure, to be leveraged for everyone in Maine,” said Ron Cote, MaineDOT Utility Engineer. “MOOSE Net is more than an internet infrastructure project, it is an investment in this State’s future,” added Cote.

Last year, MCA selected Connecticut-based Sertex Broadband Solutions, to build 450-miles of the 530-mile network due to its experience, cost competitiveness, and commitment to creating Maine-based jobs. The company plans to train and hire fiber optic technicians, and recently opened a regional office in Sidney, Maine. Already, Sertex has created an apprentice program approved by the Maine Department of Labor to build and train a ready workforce.

“Raised in Caribou, I am humbled to deliver the benefits of connectivity to Maine’s rural, underserved communities,” said Shawn Harmon, Vice President, Sertex, who will manage MOOSE Net construction. “Growing up in a remote part of the country, you realize how your geography can be isolating without proper access to education, public health, professional development, and communication,” Harmon said.

The MOOSE Net route is mapped out, and communities will continue seeing field crews at work, with improved connectivity benefits available by 2027.


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About MCA: About MCA: Focusing on projects, places and people, the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) advances digital opportunity and works to improve connectivity for all Maine people. Established in 2021, MCA is Maine’s public agency charged with achieving universal access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet service statewide. MCA has three statutory 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 are able to take full advantage of the economic, health, educational and other opportunities available through connectivity services.