Casco in November 2024. (Rory Sweeting/Staff Writer)
The Casco Select Board approved an agreement last Tuesday with Sebago Fiber that will install a municipal fiber optic network connecting the town office, Fire Department, Community Center and transfer station, among others.
According to the agreement, the network will be 6.208 miles long, and will cost $296,642. The town of Casco will pay Sebago Fiber an initial deposit of $98,880, and from there, will pay the balance of the network’s cost “based on monthly progress statements subject to a 10% retainage.”
Brandie Shydo, a representative of Sebago Fiber, characterized the deal as the town making an investment, and receiving an asset and a service in exchange. In the future, Sebago Fiber plans to build out into the rest of the town for residential and business service, depending on demand.
Shydo said the agreement with Casco is part of a larger initiative to install fiber networks in towns around Sebago Lake, funded by a $3.2 million grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority.
In addition to Casco, Sebago Fiber has already completed the installation of a fiber network in Sebago, and is installing municipal networks in Raymond and Naples. In Raymond, Shydo said that the majority of construction on the municipal network is finished, and the company is reaching out to residents regarding demand for a residential network.
In the long term, Sebago Fiber hopes to expand its network to encompass the above towns, as well as Frye Island. A press release characterizes Sebago Fiber’s plans as part of a regional effort, in coordination with local governments, to bring high-speed, reliable internet to the Lakes Region.
Shydo talked about the benefits of fiber networks, which would not only provide connection to houses that either have no internet access or rely on outdated technology such as DSL, but will also continue to function in the event of a power outage due to battery backups at Sebago Fiber’s facilities.
“Residents can be more effective in working from home, and accessing education online, all these things you need the internet for,” Shydo said.
The agreement with the town of Casco is set to last for one term of 20 years, during which Sebago Fiber will be responsible for maintenance and repairs. After the initial term, the town has the option to renew the agreement for one additional 20-year term.