Light Reading - Optical Networking - Maine Fiber Network Comes Under Fire - Telecom News Analysis

Maine would seem to be the poster state for broadband stimulus funding. In addition to being largely rural, it is geographically remote, meaning no one builds a network through Maine to get to anywhere else. Add to that the fact that during the years when most telecom and cable companies were building out their broadband infrastructures, Maine’s two largest incumbents -- Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) and Adelphia Communications -- were seeking to sell off the state network and going through a bankruptcy-driven breakup, respectively. The result was a substantial lag in network investment.

So it shouldn’t have been a shock when a public/private partnership, Maine Fiber Co., won a $25.4 million grant to build what is called the Three-Ring Binder, an middle-mile fiber optic network that will include three fiber rings in Western, Northern, and Downeast Maine. Maine Fiber’s intent is to lease dark fiber as an open access network, and not to sell commercial services...