More than 100,000 households as well as 600 schools, libraries and other anchor community institutions and 38 government facilities in Maine will gain access to fiber optics thanks to the Three Ring Binder project, a 1,100-mile fiber-optic network. Funded through a combination of stimulus funds and private investment, the Three Ring Binder fiber network will provide access to its network to all qualified users on an open-access, non-discriminatory basis. A release issued by NextGen Telecom Services Group, which has been hired as the prime network-infrastructure construction contractor for Three Ring Binder, said, "Any carrier or other organization requiring fiber-optic facilities may lease network capacity to provide quality, affordable service to business and consumer end users within these communities, and to hundreds of other communities based on building laterals from the main network."
NextGen was hired to construct the network by Maine Fiber Company, which was formed for the specific purpose of managing the construction, maintenance and leasing of the Three Ring Binder fiber network. Maine Fiber Company is not affiliated with any telecommunications carrier.
NextGen says it has already begun working on the fiber network project and expects to complete the construction phase in two years. The company said it expects to increase its workforce of line foremen, linemen, laborers, traffic-control flaggers and warehouse personnel through the project's construction phase. Once construction is completed, NextGen will provide ongoing maintenance and emergency restoration services for Three Ring Binder.
Maine Fiber's general manager Joshua Broder praised NextGen when he stated, "NextGen brings deep experience in Maine to the project in terms of building fiber-optic networks for service providers, wind farms, smart grids, businesses and other customers, particularly in rural areas."
Bob Bailey, who is NextGen's project manager for the Three Ring Binder network, said, "As a resident of Maine, I understand the game-changing implications this project has on the future of education, healthcare, business and overall broadband connectivity throughout the state and especially in more rural areas. We're excited to be part of this large-scale project that will showcase our ability to deliver on-time and on-budget as well as our diverse portfolio of fiber-optics services, including network design, cable placement, splicing and testing in both aerial and underground environments."
