Time Warner Cable Launches Road Runner High Speed Internet Service in Aroostook County

     Governor Angus King was on hand at the University of Maine, Presque Isle as Time Warner Cable officially announced the launch of its Road Runner High Speed Internet Service.  With a quick visit from Wile E. Coyote, the press conference was underway, celebrating the milestone in which high speed internet technology has come to the County.  

     Representatives from the offices of Senator Olympia Snowe, Senator Susan Collins, and Congressman John Baldacci addressed the crowd and applauded Time Warner and the efforts of Barry McCrum, Time Warner's Vice President of Governmental Affairs for his foresight and drive in making the dream of high speed internet access a reality for consumers in Aroostook County.  Governor King spoke on the impact Road Runner will have on the economic development and education in Aroostook County.  While it wasn't "...the long awaited extension of 95 from Houlton to Presque Isle..." it will have a tremendous impact of how information and business pass to and from the County.

     Road Runner High Speed Internet Service is made possible by the recent multi-million dollar investment by Time Warner Cable of Maine to upgrade its cable television plant with fiber optics. Road Runner has been a boon to local businesses, providing cutting edge technology and related advantages not yet available in some larger cities across the country. Businesses as well as residential customers benefit from the lightening fast downloads, "always on" connection and freedom from dial-up long distance charges.

Barry McCrum TWC's VP of Governmental Affairs

     Road Runner also allows customers to use the Internet without tying up their phone line. Thanks to the broadband "pipe" and cable technology, customers can simultaneously view cable programming throughout the home while using Road Runner on their computers.

     Although Road Runner customers are not required to be cable customers, the combination of both technologies in the home allows viewers to maximize the entertainment, information and educational programming available on each. For example, many cable programmers like The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, Nickelodeon, MSNBC and ESPN have developed web sites with viewing information and in-depth articles, games and related topics.

     In addition to a fast connection to the Internet, Road Runner provides local, national and international content from the world-renowned libraries of Time Inc., A & E, Condé Nast, and Warner Bros. Online, and also best-in-class content providers such as BarnesandNoble.com, The Weather Channel and E! Online.

     Road Runner also has community pages for each of the towns and cities served in a local area. That way, if the communities desire, customers can have access to information on schools, town meetings, municipal functions, etc. at the click of a mouse. As part of the companies’ educational outreach, Time Warner Cable and Road Runner provide a free cable modem and monthly service to each public school in the service area for student use. As another public service, each town or city’s public library will also be provided a cable modem for patron use, so those without the financial resources to own a computer will be able to access the vast resources of the Internet and World Wide Web through Road Runner.

     Rick Preti, General Manager of Road Runner, presented a check to Frankie LaFave, winner of the Road Runner National One Millionth Subscriber contest.  LaFave was one of 44 national winners that won a year of free Road Runner service, a weekend trip for two to San Francisco to be honored at Road Runner’s national gala celebration and the check for $10,000 payable to the charity of his choice.  Mr. LaFave presented his check to Robin Chibroski from the Ronald McDonald House.

     Road Runner Pro, a comprehensive range of high speed services designed specifically for businesses large and small will be available along with residential service.  The first 9 early bird customers were also presented with special recognition plaques.

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     Time Warner Cable of Maine serves the communities of Caribou, Caswell, Connor Township, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, New Sweden, Presque Isle, Westfield and Woodland. To sign up or to learn more about Road Runner Service, call Time Warner Cable of Maine at 764-1324 or 1-800-690-0388.