Joint venture to link telecom network sites> Fiber-optic services to be extended to Lewiston

BANGOR — Bangor-based Mid-Maine Communications and Augusta-based MaineCom announced this week that they have entered into a joint venture to connect their respective fiber-optic networks as part of a three-phase project for Mid-Maine Communications. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by May 30.

According to Vice President Andrew Hinkley, Mid-Maine Communications is completing construction of a fiber-optic network from Bangor to Lewiston where it will connect with MaineCom. MaineCom currently has a fiber-optic network throughout Portland and will extend that network to Lewiston. The completed network will be shared, according to Hinkley, with Mid-Maine Communications becoming the managing company for sales and marketing of services to be offered by both companies.

According to Ian Sellick, state sales manager for Mid-Maine, “having fiber facilities from Portland to Bangor offers a real alternative to Bell Atlantic, and it is the beginning of true competition in the telecom industry for the state of Maine.”

MaineCom, the subsidary telecommunications company of Central Maine Power, has already built fiber-optic facilities in the greater Portland area. According to Vice President, Mark Curtis, “the build-out from Portland to Lewiston is a natural extension, and connecting it with Mid-Maine Communications fiber greatly enhances the overall network.”

Once completed, the network will begin providing voice, data and high speed telecommunications transport services to business customers from Portland to Bangor to Ellsworth.

The second phase of the project for Mid-Maine Communications is to place electronic switching facilities in both Bangor and Portland. The switches will be connected at strategic points along the fiber route. The third phase is to continue the fiber route from Bangor to Ellsworth. The companies together are considering additional extensions throughout Maine.

Mid-Maine Communications is a regional telecommunications company currently serving telephone customers in 26 communities north and west of Bangor along with Internet access and interstate long distance services throughout the state.

Mid-Maine, which is headquartered at 44 Broadway in Bangor, plans to begin offering expanded services by the third quarter of 1999.