Network Will Serve More Than 650 Schools and Libraries Statewide
PORTLAND, Maine (April 26, 2010) – FairPoint Communications was awarded a five-year contract worth $25.8 million to support the needs of the Maine School and Library Network (MSLN). The MSLN is a statewide consortium of nearly 1,000 schools and libraries through which participants acquire Internet access, phone service and other related services. In operation for over 13 years, the MSLN was the first network in the country to provide high-speed Internet access for every school and library in an entire state.
The University of Maine System’s Networkmaine unit serves as administrator of the Maine School and Library Network and this contract. The $25.8 million contract is funded entirely by telecommunications usage fees from the Maine Telecommunication Education Access Fund and the Federal E-Rate Program, which are targeted to improving broadband connections for Maine’s K-12 schools and libraries.
“We are extremely pleased to have Networkmaine as a key customer of FairPoint and we look forward to serving the participants’ needs,” said Mike Reed, FairPoint’s Maine state president. “FairPoint has invested more than $100 million in communication infrastructure and technology to bring broadband to northern New England.”
FairPoint is able to serve the needs of the MSLN through its state-of-the-art, fiber-based core network infrastructure – called VantagePoint – that provides customers with superior performance by offering high bandwidth choices that are both economical and reliable. FairPoint’s VantagePoint network delivers customers a variety of reliable online services that provide faster ways to communicate and the opportunity to move large data files quickly and more efficiently.
FairPoint responded to a fall 2009 request for proposal from the University of Maine System to support the future needs of the MSLN. “Our contract with FairPoint will help us accelerate the expansion of high-speed broadband to schools and libraries located throughout Maine,” explained Jeff Letourneau, University of Maine System associate director of communications and network services, and Networkmaine’s acting executive director.
With this contract FairPoint will now serve over 650 schools and libraries on the MSLN. Key points that led to FairPoint winning the award included: providing a statewide network solution with competitive pricing, convenient network access and an aggressive implementation timeline. The company expects it will add new customers to its VantagePoint network as other government, business and healthcare facilities sign on.
About FairPoint
FairPoint Communications, Inc. is an industry leading provider of communications services to communities across the country. Today, FairPoint owns and operates local exchange companies in 18 states offering advanced communications with a personal touch, including local and long distance voice, data, Internet, television and broadband services. Learn more at www.FairPoint.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeff Nevins
207.648.3088
jnevins@fairpoint.com
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