Fairpoint Areas

Tidewater Telecom/Lincolnville Telco Areas

Quarry Hill Campus


DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. This technology utilizes the existing copper phone lines you already have installed to your house to bring high-speed Internet access to you. It uses an inaudible signal that permits continuous Internet service without tying up the phone or causing busy signals.

A special modem converts the digital signal, and the phone company programs your phone line in their switch to enable it to carry the service. However, there is a limit to the distance that copper wire can carry the signal effectively. In Verizon service areas, we will need to perform an initial line qualification to make certain that service is available at your location.


How fast is it?

Every DSL connection has different speed capabilities. This depends upon several factors. The distance between your location and the DSL/phone switch and the quality of wiring in your home are just two of the many things that come into play. Closer distances and higher quality wiring can bring higher speed capabilities. Typically, you can expect speeds over 10 times faster than a standard dialup connection when using DSL service as a minimum. In the Tidewater areas, download speeds can be as high as 1200 kbps. In Verizon area, download speeds can be as high as 3000kbps at close distances from the switch, or under 1000kbps at long distances or lower line quality. Upload speeds are lower to provide more bandwidth for downloading. Verizon area Platinum service can provide even higher download speeds. For more details relating to broadband service, please read our Acceptable Use Policy.

MIS offers DSL service in several areas in the mid-coast region and beyond. We utilize separate and entirely different systems in different areas to bring DSL connectivity to our customers. The type of system used depends wholly on your service area. Pricing structure and equipment for the different areas will vary depending on the specific company. Please click the link for your local service area below to learn more about the DSL service available to you. *PLEASE NOTE: Because these systems are mutually exclusive, service rates and features are not transferable, nor do they apply to any areas other than those provided.