SCENARIO
By late 2023, the competition to dominate space between billionaires Jeff Bezos (Project Kuiper) and Elon Musk (Starlink), as well as Boeing and others, results in affordable satellite-based internet anywhere in the AWEDD region. Sign-up deals and other incentives make it easy for nearly anyone to get fast internet with low latency wherever they live and work. Monthly bills below $50 make it cheaper than other fiber and cell service options, while offering faster average speeds.

 

This new access benefits farmers, local businesses, people working or learning from home, and telehealth services. Affordable and comprehensive internet access accelerates the digital transformation across all business sectors and opens many businesses in northern and Downeast Maine to new customers (and potential competitors.) Local telecom providers, as well as national wireless carriers, all see a drop in business. Some rural municipalities must fulfill the remainder of existing five- or ten-year contracts with fiber providers and see large losses as people switch to satellite internet providers. After years of trying to get broadband, several communities were able to secure federal and state funding for new fiber projects and have obligations to build that infrastructure.