FairPoint expands DSL coverage in parts of Maine, Vermont

FairPoint Communications (Nasdaq: FRP) is bringing its DSL service to more cities and towns in Maine and Vermont--two markets in its three-state northern New England serving territory.

Focusing on three areas, including Sorrento, Parsonsfield and Bridgewater, the Maine expansion will bring broadband services to 80 area homes and businesses.

In Vermont, the telco will bring broadband to more than 350 homes and businesses in Lowell and 200 in Vershire and West Fairlee.

Delivering up to 15 Mbps download speeds, these expansions will bring broadband service to communities that previously had no option for any service.

Maine and Vermont are key expansion points FairPoint. The service provider previously came under fire for service issues and not meeting broadband rollout timelines.

In 2011, the Maine PUC and the Office of the Public Advocate said that the telco did not meet its obligation to make broadband service available to 87 percent of state residents. At that time, Public Advocate Wayne Joynter said some of the residents considered to be part of that 87 percent actually live too far away from the nearest central office.

Having settled the $7 million in service quality penalties it had with Vermont regulators by agreeing to bring broadband service into 51 communities in the state, the telco has spent almost $100 million in its network, including the addition of 1,100 route miles of new fiber.

Since acquiring Verizon's New England assets in 2008, the telco has invested over $193 million in its communications infrastructure and technology to bring broadband to its northern New England territory, including the installation of thousands of miles of new fiber across the region and necessary last mile DSLAM and DLC equipment in COs and RTs to deliver services to customers.

For more:
- here the Maine release
- the Lowell, Vt. release
- and the Vershire and West Fairlee, Vt. release

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Updated article on July 3 to reflect fact that FairPoint does not compete with VTel in Vermont.