Maine Will Subsidize Starlink for Unserved Locations

Maine will start subsidizing the cost of SpaceX Starlink internet service hardware under its new Working Internet ASAP (WIA) program, the Maine Connectivity Authority said Thursday. The effort targets the 1.5% of rural homes and businesses in Maine that lack internet access. The state agency will coordinate bulk purchases of hardware and service from SpaceX's Starlink, which was chosen through a competitive request for proposals. The agency said the WIA program will come atop $350 million for broadband infrastructure via NTIA's broadband equity access and deployment (BEAD) program to serve the state's locations that have slow and unreliable service. Eligible homes and businesses can apply starting in November for subsidized Starlink hardware.