Report From The Real World: Deploying Low Earth Orbit Satellites In Maine
Feb 11, 2026
“While we build the infrastructure for our future, we can’t afford for people to be living in the digital dark.”
– Andrew Butcher, MCA President
The Connect Everyone Coalition (CEC) team recently spoke with the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) to discuss their good work in advancing digital opportunities for all people in Maine. Here’s what they’re saying about the importance of connectivity across Maine and the role of all technologies—including new low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites—to get the job done:
To expand broadband, MCA has implemented the Working Internet ASAP (WIA) program. This innovative program, launched in November 2024, is a real-world use case that highlights the efficiency of LEO satellites to provide broadband internet connectivity. About their innovative program, MCA shared:
“There were several components to the WIA Program that contributed to its effectiveness, including program eligibility requirements, affordability, and outreach. The eligibility criteria for this program was very focused. Locations were eligible if they had no service or technology […] and no current project planned to connect them […]. The result was approximately 9,000 locations in Maine (1.5 percent of locations overall) that were eligible, the vast majority being locations that historically were extremely difficult to reach because of how remote and rural they were.
“Additionally, MCA created financial incentives where we could to promote adoption of this service. MCA covered the cost of the equipment and optional installation services for all WIA-eligible households.
“[…] Lastly, MCA conducted extensive outreach through partners, direct mail and word of mouth. Because these locations by definition did not have internet service, we could not rely on digital forms of outreach. We worked with MCA’s Regional & Wabanaki Broadband Partners, local libraries and other state agencies to share information about the WIA Program. We also did two rounds of direct mail to eligible households, including a letter signed by Governor Janet Mills. “
Thinking about the underserved areas that benefit from LEO satellites, and MCA’s approach to deploying broadband connectivity in particular, the organization said:
“We received feedback from people who signed up for LEO service through the WIA Program that had been needing the internet to work from home or take classes from home, in some cases they had been waiting for years. One of the major benefits to LEO satellite service is that it can be deployed quickly. People enrolled in the WIA Program could opt in for installation assistance, coordinated by MCA with local businesses, or could choose to install themselves. Once the equipment was mailed to the location, they could have the service up and running that day if they were installing themselves, or within two weeks if they were receiving installation support through MCA.”
MCA added:
“As is the case with any internet technology, reliability and affordability are imperative. If all other factors stayed the same across different technologies, and LEO service could provide the same level of reliability as other internet options, [LEO satellites] would continue to be a key solution for internet service in Maine, especially for those locations that are extremely remote.”
CEC applauds MCA’s deployment approach in Maine. With the mission “to connect everyone in Maine” and promote healthy competition that drives the affordability of internet services by creating as many options for homes and businesses as possible, MCA has paved the way for future LEO satellite deployment that continues to prioritize both broadband service and performance and set the standard for LEO rollout at the state level.
Share your internet connectivity and LEO use case story here.
Learn more about CEC here.