Redzone Wireless starts wireless broadband network in first three locations

Redzone Wireless LLC, a Camden-based wireless Internet service provider, said it has activated its network in its first three coverage areas: Portland, Waterville and Great Diamond Island.

The company launched its 4G LTE wireless network at a press conference in Portland Wednesday morning. Speakers were Gov. Paul LePage, University of Maine Chancellor James Page and Redzone Wireless President Jim McKenna.

Redzone previously received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to operate using the Educational Broadband Service Spectrum granted under an exclusive lease agreement with the University of Maine System. That spectrum is for 2.5-gigahertz wireless broadband.

“While this is an important milestone for Redzone and Maine, our long-term goal is to continue expanding coverage to reach more than 90% of Maine’s residents and businesses within a few short years,” McKenna said, adding that that means coverage for 1,197,000 Mainers. Among the additional areas are Orono, Bangor and Gardiner.

He added that today Maine is on a path to fast and reliable broadband that will make it a leader rather than a state with a low rank for connectivity and business support.

The company plans to expand network coverage to 15 total areas. It plans to reach more than 25% of Maine’s population by the end of this year.

That was good news to Gov. LePage, who said he had to crawl up a ladder to the second floor of his house in Boothbay to get speedy Internet, and at that, for only a short time. As he left the stage, he turned to McKenna and reminded him about getting Boothbay into the service area.

“Congratulations for bringing Maine into the 21st Century,” the governor said, adding that such public-private partnerships are the direction in which Maine needs to go to move forward. He added that broadband across more areas of the state might cause more people to move into the state.

“Our market research clearly indicates strong interest in broadband services that do not require cable TV subscriptions or wired telephone service,” said Michael Forcillo, Redzone’s vice president.

UMaine’s Page said that taking broadband Internet access to those corners of Maine that are underserved also opens up distance learning in those areas.

Correction: A previous headline for this story contained the incorrect name for Redzone Wireless.

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