ME

Broadband Could Be Maine's Communication Backbone

Stevie Converse — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:34:23 -0400

Full article: WCSH
Work is expected to begin by fall on construction of 1,100 miles of new, high-capacity, fiber optic communications line through much of Maine. The goal of the project is to provide affordable, high speed Internet service to areas and customers not presently served, and those who are under-served.

Maine Utility Regulators Approve FairPoint Bankruptcy Plan

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:13 -0400

Full article: Maine Public Broadcasting Network
Josie Huang
The Maine Public Utlities Commission has approved FairPoint Communications' bankruptcy reorganization plan, even as members expressed concern that it would delay the company's broadband expansion.

Fairpoint Still Has Enough Cash For Anticompetitive Lobbying

Stevie Converse — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:19:11 -0400

Full article: Broadband Reports
Karl Bode
Fairpoint Communications has all but imploded from the acquisition of Verizon's Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont DSL networks. The carrier has skirted close to bankruptcy, faces state investigations for incompetence, and is now looking at a possible delisting by the NYSE. So it's interesting the company still has the cash on hand to spend on lobbying.

Newspapers' Suitor Has Real Estate-Based Price

Stevie Converse — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:46:33 -0400

Full article: Portland Press Herald
Tux Turkel
In a "classic private equity deal," the investment group seeking to buy Blethen Maine Newspapers has negotiated a "bargain basement price" based heavily on the value of real estate. The goal in such a deal is to buy at a low price in a bad economic environment and grow profitability.

E-mail Problems Still Plague Fairpoint Users

Stevie Converse — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:53:28 -0500

Full article: Broadband Reports
Karl Bode
After Verizon officially transferred ownership of their Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont networks to Fairpoint Communications, countless users experienced an inability to access their e-mail and technical support.

Maine's Highest Court Questions Publication of Legal Notices

Stevie Converse — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:53:59 -0500

Full article: Associated Press
Jerry Harkavy
Maine's highest court yesterday set aside a $100,000 default judgment in a ruling that calls into question the longstanding practice of using newspapers as a vehicle for the publication of legal notices.

Public Radio, TV Stations Cut Staff, Broadcast Area

Stevie Converse — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:35:11 -0500

Full article: Portland Press Herald
Ray Routhier
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network announced that it will make spending cuts that include reducing its TV and broadcast coverage area, laying off staff members and reducing wages.

Blethen Family Announces Sale of Maine Newspaper Properties

Holiday Shapiro — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:14:23 -0500

Full article: Editor & Publisher
Jennifer Saba
The Blethen family announced that it has sold its Maine newspaper properties -- including the <em>Portland Press Herald</em> -- to a group of investors, eight months after the company put the properties on the block.

Group Signs Deal to Buy Portland Press Herald

Stevie Converse — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:58:29 -0500

Full article: Bollard Report
Maine Media Investments, a politically connected group that includes former Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cohen, Bob Baldacci (brother of Maine Gov. John Baldacci) and developer Michael Liberty, has signed a purchase and sale agreement with the Seattle Times Co. to buy Blethen Maine Newspapers.

'Connect ME' Is Maine's Mantra for 90 Percent Broadband by 2010

Stevie Converse — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:18:58 -0400

Full article: Broadband Census
Drew Bennett
Officials in Maine say they understand the impact broadband could have on the state and have made connecting citizens to high-speed Internet services a priority.