Broadband as a community development tool

Abstract

While various internet speeds and options have been available in Maine for decades, and increased investments were made in response to the pandemic, access to internet is still inadequate or unaffordable in many areas of the state. Broadband expansion efforts have been underway for at least a decade and communities are at various points in what sometimes can be years long process of acquiring and building out the infrastructure. Remoteness and rurality of Maine communities pose challenges in even deployment and affordability, and many have been neglected by large telecommunication corporations due to unattractiveness of the investment. Maine now finds itself at crossroads where municipalities are expected to receive additional funding, but at the same time the focus is starting to shift towards implementation of state’s Digital Equity Plan. During this transition, I examined the impacts of broadband on coastal and island communities by studying the experiences with and perceptions of broadband expansion by residents who now have or still lack affordable and reliable connectivity. Additionally, changing climate, new federal fishing regulations and shifting demographics are threatening the coastal and island communities, further compounding the issue and begging the question of a long-term planning approach. Drawing on previous research about rurality, the importance of broadband for economic prosperity and the role of digital services in advancing rural resilience, I used qualitative data gathering methods such as semi-structured interviews, ethnographic research and document analysis to inform my research. This thesis is structured as follows. In the next section I introduce the problem statement and present the reader with the background of the area. Then, theoretical lenses and relevant research are reviewed. Next, I describe the methods and inform the reader of my position statement. After that, I present the analysis of my data by discussing how increased need for connectivity is perceived by coastal and island residents by looking at the economic, social and civic aspects of society. Lastly, the summary of my findings as well as recommendations for further research are presented.