AUGUSTA -- MidCoast Internet Solutions has completed installation of the backbone network needed to provide high-speed Internet service to Jefferson.

The ConnectME Authority awarded a $52,550 grant to the town and MidCoast earlier this summer for the construction of a wireless Internet network in Jefferson.

On Sept. 15, the town voted 193-5 to OK a lease allowing MidCoast to erect a tower on Haskell Hill adjacent to the U.S. Cellular tower.

That tower was up and operational Sept. 23.

Joe Bodnar, chairman of the Citizen's Committee for Broadband in Jefferson, said that, since Sept. 23, MidCoast has been taking signal-strength measurements around town and has turned up a small number of customers on the new service.

"As a result of the measurements they have taken, they have installed repeaters on a private tower on Route 215 north of Clary Lake, on the east side of Damariscotta Lake and in the Track Meeting House on Route 215 in South Jefferson," he said. "These repeaters should reach many customers who did not have good signal readings from Haskell Hill itself. This constitutes the backbone network that was proposed to and partially funded by ConnectME."

Bodnar said MidCoast completed the installation of the network ahead of the Dec. 17 commitment date.

MidCoast plans to add more repeaters if "dead zones" with sufficient customers are identified.

Bodnar said the company also plans to install a backup connection to its tower located in Nobleboro to minimize the likelihood of service interruptions.

He said residents who want this service should call MidCoast at 594-8277.