My Archives: April 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
We're asking our customers to help us help the people of Maine. We're asking that you contact your Maine legislator, and ask them to support bill(s) LD 1440 and 789. To that end, we've prepared a little letter you can cut and paste.
--
Dear Maine State Legislator;I am writing today to ask you for your support of the following bills:
LD 1440: A bill to encourage high-speed Internet access in areas of the State currently not served or underserved because of technical and market barriers
-and-
LD 789: This bill clarifies Maine telecommunications policy to ensure that the Public Utilities Commission will pursue the expansion of affordable, high-speed Internet service throughout the State.
Currently, these bills are in the hands of the Utilities and Energy committee. It's my understanding that momentum for these bills has slowed in committee, as the committee feels it should wait for recommendations from the Governor's "ConnectMe" committee before proceeding. The Governor's office has stressed that the committee should not wait for the ConnectMe committee. The bills in question are general--once passed, ConnectMe can make recommendations which are more specific. The Utilities and Energy committee need not be weighed down with what specifics the ConnectMe delegation may come up with. Instead, the bills should be passed soon, thus allowing the ConnectMe folks a framework within which they can work.
Would you please let those on the Utilities and Energy committee know that you support LDs 1440 and 789 in their present format, and urge them to move forward?
Thank you.
--We've also put together the names and email addresses of the legislators of the midcoast area. Click here to get the entire list. [more]
Posted by Midcoast Internet @ 09:51 AM EST [Link]
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Congratulations, Mr. Dick Cleveland! For the last two months, all people who referred a friend to MIS were entered in a drawing. The winner received a Philips/Magnavox surround sound speaker package. And Mr. Cleveland was selected at random as the winner! He can hook this great kit up to any regular stereo, and be in surround sound heaven. This prize (a $75 value) was donated by 3-Dimensions in Rockland--your source for sight, sound, and technology. For a picture of your prize, click here.
On behalf of 3-Dimensions, thanks Dick for referring a friend to MIS.
Posted by Midcoast Internet @ 10:38 AM EST [Link]
Monday, April 11, 2005
You are apt to hear about various local ISP's issues in the news these days. This is because Midcoast Internet Solutions and other founding members of the Maine ISP Association are working together to have a voice in Augusta to preserve competition and choices for internet.
Midcoast Internet Solutions and other ISPs which are part of the Maine ISP Association have been supporting what internet customers want in Augusta. Usually this means butting heads with the incumbent phone companies and their lobbyists. LD1440 was a collaboration between Maine ISPs (including Midcoast) and Rep. Hannah Pingree. Midcoast provided this testimony to the committee favoring the legislation. We have provided testimony with regards to other internet related legislation as well.
There is a great deal of internet related legislation in Maine this year. Do contact your representatives with your thoughts on these issues, or lobbyists will get their wishes. Midcoast is not siding with a particular political party on these issues. We are just letting everyone in Augusta know what small businesses and our customers and communities need. Never before have the numerous small ISPs and related business had a coordinated voice in Augusta to counter the telecom lobbyists. The representatives are pleased to hear from people like us (and our customers).
Posted by Midcoast Internet @ 02:39 PM EST [Link]