CONCEPT DRAFT

SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill would encourage high-speed Internet access in areas of the State currently not served or underserved because of technical and market barriers by:

1. Maine Internet Access Authority. Creating the Maine Internet Access Authority in the Public Utilities Commission to encourage collaboration between Internet service providers, traditional communications providers, state and local governmental entities and economic and community development groups. The members, powers, duties and goals of the authority would be set by the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy;

2. Access to town structures. Requiring towns to better accommodate wireless Internet access from Internet service providers by providing access to water towers or other similarly accessible towers and public buildings for no cost or a greatly reduced fee;

3. State matching fund. Encouraging Internet access in rural communities and competition among Internet service providers in larger communities by creating a state matching fund for implementation of new creative Internet access technologies or for laying messenger wire in communities on current pole structures for Internet access; and

4. Publication of fees. Requiring all Internet, Voice-over- Internet Protocol and broadband service providers to include all fees in the advertised prices of their products.