Union says Maine lags N.E. in Internet speed

Group does not want Verizon to sell holdings

June 17, 2007|Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine -- A survey conducted by a union that opposes the sale of Verizon's Northern New England holdings says Maine has slower Internet speeds than any other New England state.

Communications Workers of America is releasing a 50-state study this month on Internet speeds in each state.

The union is using the results in Maine to advance its argument against FairPoint Communications' proposed $2.7 billion purchase of Verizon Communications' landline telephone and Internet businesses in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Union officials say Maine needs faster Internet speeds and FairPoint lacks the resources to deliver them. FairPoint disagrees, saying it plans to spend $200 million on infrastructure improvements to expand and improve high-speed Internet service in Northern New England.

According to the survey, the median download speed in Maine was 1.53 megabits per second, which was 35th in the country.