As is so often the case on Chebeague, we finally determined that doing it ourselves would be the only way to make it happen.  So we formed chebeague.net, a Maine subchapter S corporation.

But we realized that we needed help to do it, both financially and technologically.  So we assembled a group of local investors (including ourselves) to provide us with the capital needed to get the venture off the ground.

We also enlisted Mainely Wired, LLC to provide us with bandwidth, equipment and (perhaps most importantly) engineering and technical assistance.  They have helped us get the system up and running and have trained us and other islanders in how to do new installations and keep the network running at optimum levels.

Now, with the help of a $75,000 grant (2007) from the ConnectME Authority, we have built a network with the goal of being certain that all homes on Chebeague Island have access to broadband Internet services.

As one customer puts it, "chebeague.net has been loved to death."  So, we are currently once again working with the ConnectME Authority to upgrade our network and provide the bandwidth consistent with modern demands.

We hope to have a new microwave link to the mainland in place to bring in more bandwidth by early 2012, with a higher speed DSL system in place to deliver service to every home on Chebeague.