A soon-to-be formed committee will weigh the benefits and costs of Wiscasset investing in broadband Internet access.

Town Planner Jamel Torres believes with Maine’s economy on the upswing, now is a good time to give a broadband proposal a serious look. He was tasked with doing just that a few months ago. Torres said he’ll lead a committee to weigh the long-term benefits of expanding Wiscasset’s broadband network against the costs. The committee will look into the town connecting into Maine’s existing broadband fiber optic network known as the “Three Ring Binder” that runs along the Route 1 corridor from Portland to Calais.

While it may seem like a simple concept to connect to the new network, Torres said it’s more complicated and costly than one may think.

“I think it is very important for our community to seek broadband improvements because it will make Wiscasset more economically competitive,” Torres told the Wiscasset Newspaper Monday morning. “Faster and more reliable Internet speeds could attract innovative tech entrepreneurs and other professionals who (with broadband access) could readily communicate with national and global partners,” he added.

Broadband, by definition, has greater telecommunication capacity for carrying information. As a result, it’s both faster and more reliable then standard Internet. It benefits businesses, schools, hospitals, banks, and professional firms, as well as anyone who relies on the Internet to earn a living. It has also been known to spur new investment and economic growth.

In early October, Torres attended a Maine Municipal Association session covering broadband. He’s also been in touch with Bill Najpauer, planning & development director for MidCoast Economic Development District (MCEDD). Torres said MCEDD is currently working on a template for communities to follow in connecting to the broadband network.

This past week, Torres received a proposal from Tilson Technology of Portland for developing a broadband feasibility study for Wiscasset. The plan would include the design of a “fiber-to-the-premise network” connecting every business, residence and town-owned building to the service. It would also include capital and operational costs regarding the economic benefits of improving broadband access. Tilson recently completed a similar broadband feasibility study for Rockland.

Before the town hires Tilson or any other consultant, Torres first wants to have a Broadband Committee up and going. “My goal is to have the Broadband Committee assembled by mid-December and schedule the first meeting for early or mid-January,” he added. “There is some interest from the folks at CEI to do a public kickoff educational workshop for the community, which could be held sometime over the winter months.”

Those interested in volunteering for Wiscasset’s Broadband Committee can contact Torres at townplanner@wiscasset.org or by phone at 207-882-8200 x106 by Friday, Dec. 11.