Up in Maine, the state ConnectMe Authority is planning to ask for economic stimulus money to pay for a study of the state's broadband networks to figure out how to give more people access. It is already seeing bids from contractors who can provide a detailed map showing where broadband Internet is currently available.
Currently, ConnectMe uses a map created in 2007 that gives a community-level view of broadband, but it wants a more detailed map showing details down to the street or house level information, complete with electronic updates.
Under current spending rules, federal money would pay for 80 percent of the project while the state would have to pick up the rest of the tab. State officials hope the mapping project can be finished by the fall of this year.
For more:
- AP on Maine seeking government money to map broadband penetration. Post
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