STRONG — Selectmen agreed unanimously Tuesday to invest in a countywide study on affordable high-speed internet access for residents and businesses. 

Charlie Woodworth, a representative of the Opportunity Center of Greater Franklin County, asked selectmen to approve $786.92 as the town’s share for the study on options and costs to expand broadband access.

Residents and businesses have access to cable, satellite and telephone company internet service, but prices and speeds vary.

Woodworth emphasized that businesses interested in moving to the county aren’t as enthusiastic when they learn they’ll have slower connection speeds and higher prices.

The Public Utilities Commission regulates telephone and electrical rates, but internet speeds, facilities upgrades and costs are not within its purview.

The providers are in the business of making money, and if they can’t make a profit serving small rural towns, they won’t invest in facilities to provide faster service.  

“If you don’t have broadband, there’s a reason for it,” Woodworth said.

Providers might break even if they connect 20 customers, but if they serve 10 customers, they won’t be interested in upgrading their service offerings. 

“These companies have to make money to stay in business,” he said. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”

According to state standards, internet services are measured in megabits per second or Mbps. A 1 Mbps connection provides speeds of 1 million bits per second, or roughly 100 pages of plain text per second. Typically, broadband services advertise both download and upload speeds. Download and upload speeds refer to speeds at which information can be sent or received. 

“In Maine, the download speeds for residential broadband services range from 768 kbps to 15 Mbps,” according to the Maine Office of the Public Advocate.

Streaming video on Netflix requires a broadband connection of at least 1.5 Mbps to stream movies online. Customers need at least 3 Mbps to stream DVD-quality video, and at least five Mbps for high-definition quality video.

Of the selectmen and commissioners of the two dozen towns, plantations and townships he has spoken with, Woodworth said he has received very positive support for the effort.

In smaller towns like Chesterville, he said, people aren’t selling houses and others are moving away.

Countywide, schools and libraries have high-speed internet, but residents and businesses don’t have choices of affordable prices, speeds and reliability. Those towns investing in this study will receive customized results they can pursue as they wish.

Each town will have to develop its own spending plan, based on the options they received from the study. Some towns, he said, are setting aside funds for broadband access upgrades, while other towns may choose to wait or not take any action, he said.

By December, all participants should have data to present to voters at their annual town meetings.

Woodworth noted he also foresees the possibility of federal dollars becoming available for rural areas.