The New England Telehealth Consortium (NETC), which is working with FairPoint Communications to link healthcare facilities in northern New England to the NETC network, recently made its 250thconnection. FairPoint is providing Carrier Ethernet Services (CES) to the NETC sites inMaine,New HampshireandVermontoffering data transport speeds up to 1 gigabit per second.
NETC is a consortium of healthcare providers whose mandate is to create a shared network among rural and urban healthcare facilities across the region. NETC was founded byJim Rogers, president of ProInfoNet, an independent consulting firm located inBangor, Maine. Rogers was able to secure a$24.6 millionFederal Communications Commission (FCC) Rural Health Care Pilot Program awardto bring telemedicine to the region. The NETC award was the largest award issued by the FCC under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP). Participants are eligible to receive funding for up to 85 percent of the costs associated with constructing the network and the services provided by the network.
Rogers originally thought that NETC would not be able to get the bulk of its services from one service provider. However, because FairPoint has invested more than$700 millionin its communications infrastructure and technology in northern New England since 2008, including building thousands of miles of new fiber across the region, it had NETC's service needs almost completely covered. In addition to FairPoint, eight other vendors provide other services including, Internet and Internet2 access, router equipment and the NETC network operations center support.
"We are pleased with the progress we are making with connections to more than 250 healthcare facilities to the NETC network," said Rogers. He added, "NETC offers healthcare providers a sustainable, quality broadband network that will greatly improve the capability and efficiency of healthcare in northern New England. The network created is enabling all the NETC institutions to share information that will benefit patients all across the region."
"FairPoint's investment means that we have the facilities to serve NETC's needs," saidMike Reed,Mainestate president for FairPoint Communications. "Our network is designed and built as a data network to move large files quickly and efficiently. The bottom line is the network can deliver the bandwidth each facility wants and needs."
As a result of the RHCPP award, NETC participants are receiving funding for upgrades and improvements to their broadband capabilities and connections, while paying only 15 percent of the costs. Healthcare facilities linked to NETC's network can instantly share potentially life-saving information by delivering telemedicine capabilities.
"MaineGeneral has leased several data circuits through the NETC program and these circuits have become valuable to our on-going data transport needs," saidDaniel Burgess, MaineGeneral Health's vice president and CIO. "The installation process was timely and smooth, done professionally and effectively. We are pleased with the results and proud to be part of this effort which has brought additional capacity at very competitive rates."
Rogers indicated he would like to duplicate the NETC model elsewhere. As a result, he formed HealthConnect Networks to navigate the new FCC Healthcare Connect Fund process to implement subsidized fast, stable, and secure healthcare data networks. "The FCC's vision and goal was to support the deployment of a nationwide broadband health care network, focusing in the rural areas of the country where support is needed the most," he said. "We believe we have developed a successful model that can be used in other areas of the country."
A list of the facilities that have been connected to the NETC network can be found below:
Installed Sites as of July 7, 2014
Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (Lebanon, NH)
Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital - Fiscal Services & Billing Office (Lebanon, NH)
Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital - Physician Practices (White River Junction, VT)
Ammonoosuc Community Health Services (Littleton, NH)
Ammonoosuc Community Health Services - Franconia (Franconia, NH)
Ammonoosuc Community Health Services - Warren (Warren, NH)
Ammonoosuc Community Health Services - Whitefield (Whitefield, NH)
Ammonoosuc Community Health Services - Woodsville (Woodsville, NH)
Androscoggin Valley Hospital (Berlin, NH)
Androscoggin Valley Hospital - Physical Therapy Suite (West Stewartstown, NH)
Androscoggin Valley Hospital - Physical Therapy Suite at CCNH Berlin (Berlin, NH)
Androscoggin Valley Hospital - Rehab Gorham (Gorham, NH)
Androscoggin Valley Hospital - UCVH ASA (Colebrook, NH)
Androscoggin Valley Hospital - Weeks ENT (Lancaster, NH)
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (Brattleboro, VT)
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital - Brattleboro Family Healthcare (Brattleboro, VT)
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital - Cornerstone Pediatrics (Bellows Falls, VT)
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital - Putney Family Medicine (Putney, VT)
Brattleboro Retreat (Brattleboro, VT)
Calais Regional Hospital (Calais, ME)
Cary Medical Center (Caribou, ME)
Cary Medical Center - Kimball Community Health Center (Fort Fairfield, ME)
Cary Medical Center - Pines Family Health Center (Presque Isle, ME)
Cary Medical Center - Pines Health Center (Caribou, ME)
Cary Medical Center - Pines Ophthalmology (Caribou, ME)
Cary Medical Center - Pines Washburn Health Center (Washburn, ME)
Cary Medical Center - St. John Valley Health Center (Van Buren, ME)
Catholic Medical Center (Manchester, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - Amoskeag Primary Care (Manchester, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - Bedford Radiology Practice (Bedford, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - CMC Urgent Care and Willowbend Primary Care (Bedford, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - Family Health and Wellness/Granite State Internal Medicine (Bedford, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - Goffstown Primary Care (Goffstown, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - Health Care for the Homeless Clinic (Manchester, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - Highlander Way Internal Medicine (Manchester, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - MGM (Manchester, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - NEHI Nashua (Nashua, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - New England Heart Institute (Derry, NH)
Catholic Medical Center - Webster St. Internal Medicine (Manchester, NH)
Central Vermont Medical Center (Berlin, VT)
Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene (Keene, NH)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Audiology and Hearing Aids (Keene, NH)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Brattleboro Pulmonary and Rheumatology Services (Brattleboro, VT)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Dermatology (Keene, NH)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Jaffrey Family Medicine and Specialty Services (Jaffrey, NH)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Peterborough Urology Services (Peterborough, NH)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Urology and Ophthalmology Center (Keene, NH)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Walpole (Walpole, NH)
Cheshire Medical Center/D.H. Keene - Winchester (Winchester, NH)
Community Health Access Network - Newmarket (Newmarket, NH)
Community Health Access Network - Portsmouth (Portsmouth, NH)
Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region - Brandon Medical Center (Brandon, VT)
Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region - Castleton Family Health Center (Bomoseen, VT)
Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region - Mettowee Valley Family Health Center (West Pawlet, VT)
Coos County Family Health Services - 133 Pleasant (Berlin, NH)
Coos County Family Health Services - 59 Page (Berlin, NH)
Coos County Family Health Services - Admin (Berlin, NH)
Coos County Family Health Services - Gorham (Gorham, NH)
Copley Hopital (Morrisville, VT)
Cottage Hospital (Woodsville, NH)
Counseling Service of Addison County (Middlebury, VT)
Counseling Service of Addison County - Main Street (Middlebury, VT)
Down East Community Hospital (Machias, ME)
Down East Community Hospital - Milbridge Medical Center (Milbridge, ME)
Down East Community Hospital - Reid Emery Building (Machias, ME)
Eastern Maine Medical Center (Bangor, ME)
Eastport Health Care (Eastport, ME)
Eastport Health Care - Machias (Machias, ME)
Fish River Rural Health - Eagle Lake (Eagle Lake, ME)
Fish River Rural Health - Fort Kent (Fort Kent, ME)
Fletcher Allen Health Care (Burlington, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Aquatic Rehabilitation (Winooski, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Berlin Ophthamology (Berlin, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Chittenden County Dialysis (South Burlington, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Dialysis at Rutland Regional (Rutland, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Genetics (Burlington, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Hinesburg Family Practice (Hinesburg, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - North Country Dialysis (Newport, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Northwest Medical Cardiology/ENT/Dermatology (St. Albans, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Orthopedics (South Burlington, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Sleep Disorders Center (South Burlington, VT>
Fletcher Allen Health Care - Tilley Cardiology / Pain Management (South Burlington, VT)
Fletcher Allen Health Care - TPK Campus (South Burlington, VT)
Gifford Medical Center (Randolph, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Bethel Health Center (Bethel, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Chelsea Health Center (Chelsea, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Gifford Medical Center at Berlin (Barre, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Kingwood Health Canter (Randolph, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Rochester Health Center (Rochester, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Sharon Health Center (Sharon, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Twin River Urology (White River Junction, VT)
Gifford Medical Center - Wilder Clinic - Advanced Physical Therapy (White River Junction, VT)
Harrington Family Health Center (Harrington, ME)
Health FirstFamily Care Center - Franklin (Franklin, NH)
Health FirstFamily Care Center - Laconia (Laconia, NH)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Belgrade Regional Health Center (Belgrade, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Bethel Family Health Center (Bethel, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Bingham Area Health Center (Bingham, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Hathaway Creative Center (Waterville, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Lovejoy Health Center (Albion, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Madison Area Health Center (Madison, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Mt. Abram Regional Health Center (Kingfield, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Rangeley Family Medicine (Rangeley, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Richmond Area Health Center (Richmond, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Sheepscot Valley Health Center (Coopers Mills, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Strong Area Health Center (Strong, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Time Warner Building (Portland, ME)
HealthReach Community Health Centers - Western Maine Family Health Center (Livermore Falls, ME)
Houlton Regional Hospital (Houlton, ME)
HowardCenter - Chittenden Clinic (South Burlington, VT)
HowardCenter - Data Center (Burlington, VT)
HowardCenter - Fay Honey Knopp School (Rutland, VT)
HowardCenter - Park Street Program (Rutland, VT)
HowardCenter - Second Spring (Williamstown, VT)
HowardCenter - St. Albans (St. Albans, VT)
HowardCenter - Westford (Westford, VT)
Huggins Hospital (Wolfeboro, NH)
Huggins Hospital - Alton Family Medicine (Alton, NH)
Huggins Hospital - Back Bay Rehabilitation (Wolfeboro, NH)
Huggins Hospital - Moultonborough Family Medicine (Moultonborough, NH)
Huggins Hospital - Ossipee Family Medicine (Ossipee, NH)
Huggins Hospital - Tamworth Family Medicine (Tamworth, NH)
Huggins Hospital - Wakefield Family Medicine (Sanbornville, NH)
Islands Community Medical Services (Vinalhaven, ME)
Little Rivers Health Care - Administration (Bradford, VT)
Little Rivers Health Care - Bradford (Bradford, VT)
Little Rivers Health Care - East Corinth (East Corinth, VT)
Little Rivers Health Care - Wells River (Wells River, VT)
Littleton Regional Hospital (Littleton, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Andover Family Medicine (Andover, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Belknap Family Health Center (Belmont, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Franklin Regional Hospital (Franklin, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Interlakes Medical Center (Meredith, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Laconia Clinic (Laconia, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Laconia Clinic - Tilton Office (Tilton, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Lakes Region General Hospital (Laconia, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Moultonboro Family Health (Moultonboro, NH)
LRG Healthcare - New Hampton Family Practice (New Hampton, NH)
LRG Healthcare - Newfound Family Practice (Bristol, NH)
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital (Ellsworth, ME)
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital - Eleanor Widener Dixon (Gouldsboro, ME)
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital - Ellsworth Internal Medicine (Ellsworth, ME)
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital - Southwest Harbor Medical Center (Southwest Harbor, ME)
Maine Migrant Health Program - Admin Office (Augusta, ME)
Maine Migrant Health Program - Mobile Clinic 1 (Fryeburg, ME)
Maine Migrant Health Program - Mobile Clinic 2 (Cherryfield, ME)
Maine Migrant Health Program - Mobile Clinic 3 (Oquossuc, ME)
Maine Sea Coast Mission - Acadia Family Center (Southwest Harbor, ME)
Maine Sea Coast Mission - Colket Data Center (Bar Harbor, ME)
Maine Sea Coast Mission - Hallowell Family Practice (Hallowell, ME)
Maine Sea Coast Mission - Hope Health (Camden, ME)
Maine Sea Coast Mission - Mobile Clinic (Cranberry Isles, ME)
Maine Sea Coast Mission - Mobile Clinic - Matinicus (Matinicus, ME)
Maine Sea Coast Mission - Swans Island (Swans Island, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Augusta Campus (Augusta, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Diabetes & Nutrition Augusta (Augusta, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Gardiner (Gardiner, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Jackman Region Health Center (Jackman, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Maine Dartmouth & Four Seasons FP (Fairfield, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - MaineGeneral Behavioral Health (Skowhegan, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Oakland Family Health Care, PA (Oakland, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Thayer Campus (Waterville, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Waterville Family Practice (Waterville, ME)
MaineGeneral Medical Center - Winthrop Commerce Center (Winthrop, ME)
Mayo Regional Hospital (Dover-Foxcroft, ME)
Mayo Regional Hospital - Corinth Family Practice (Corinth, ME)
Mayo Regional Hospital - Counseling Program (Dover-Foxcroft, ME)
Mayo Regional Hospital - Dexter Family Practice (Dexter, ME)
Mayo Regional Hospital - Dexter Internal Medicine (Dexter, ME)
Mayo Regional Hospital - Guilford Medical Associates (Guilford, ME)
Mayo Regional Hospital - Milo Family Practice (Milo, ME)
MidState Health Center - Bristol (Bristol, NH)
MidState Health Center - Plymouth (Plymouth, NH)
Millinocket Regional Hospital (Millinocket, ME)
Millinocket Regional Hospital - White Birch Medical Center (Millinocket, ME)
Monadnock Community Hospital (Peterborough, NH)
Monadnock Community Hospital - Antrim Medical Group (Antrim, NH)
Monadnock Community Hospital - Jaffrey Family Medicine (Jaffrey, NH)
Monadnock Community Hospital - New Ipswich Family Medicine (New Ipswich, NH)
Monadnock Community Hospital - Rindge Family Practice (Rindge, NH)
Mount Desert Island Hospital (Bar Harbor, ME)
Mount Desert Island Hospital - Community Health Center (Southwest Harbor, ME)
Mount Desert Island Hospital - Trenton Health Center (Trenton, ME)
Mt. Ascutney Hospital & Health Center (Windsor, VT)
Mt. Ascutney Hospital & Health Center - Ottauquechee Health Center (Woodstock, VT)
Mt. Ascutney Hospital & Health Center - Physician Practices (Hanover, NH)
New England Telemedicine, PA (Kittery, ME)
New London Hospital (New London, NH)
New London Hospital - Medical Affiliates Building (New London, NH)
New London Hospital - Newport Health Center (Newport, NH)
North Country Health Consortium (Littleton, NH)
Northeast Kingdom Human Services - Derby (Derby, VT)
Northeast Kingdom Human Services - St. Johnsbury (Saint Johnsbury, VT)
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (St. Johnsbury, VT)
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital - NVRH Corner Medical (Lyndonville, VT)
Northern Counties Health Care (St. Johnsbury, VT)
Northern Counties Health Care - Concord Health Center (Concord, VT)
Northern Counties Health Care - Danville Health Center (Danville, VT)
Northern Counties Health Care - Hardwick Health Center (Hardwick, VT)
Northern Counties Health Care - Island Pond Health Center (Island Pond, VT)
Northern Counties Health Care - Northern Counties Dental Center (Hardwick, VT)
Northern Maine Medical Center (Fort Kent, ME)
Northern Maine Medical Center - Madawaska Outpatient Center (Madawaska, ME)
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (Saint Albans, VT)
Penobscot Valley Hospital (Lincoln, ME)
Penobscot Valley Hospital - Wellness Center (Lincoln, ME)
Penquis - Bangor (Bangor, ME)
Penquis - Dover (Dover-Foxcroft, ME)
Penquis - Lincoln (Lincoln, ME)
Penquis - Rockland (Rockland, ME)
Redington Fairview General Hospital (Skowhegan, ME)
Redington Fairview General Hospital - Norridgewock Health Center (Norridgewock, ME)
Regional Medical Center of Lubec/Healthways - East Machias (East Machias, ME)
Regional Medical Center of Lubec/Healthways - Lubec (Lubec, ME)
Richford Health Center (dba NOTCH) (Richford, VT)
Richford Health Center (dba NOTCH) - Alburg Health Center (Alburg, VT)
Richford Health Center (dba NOTCH) - Enosburg Health Center (Enosburg Falls, VT)
Richford Health Center (dba NOTCH) - NOTCH Dental Clinic at MVU (Swanton, VT)
Richford Health Center (dba NOTCH) - St. Albans Health Center (St. Albans, VT)
Richford Health Center (dba NOTCH) - Swanton Health Center (Swanton, VT)
Rutland Mental Health Services (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Mental Health Services - Court Square (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Mental Health Services - Evergreen Center (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Mental Health Services - Merchants Row Location (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Mental Health Services - Pine Street (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Mental Health Services - RC Headstart (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Regional Health Services - Mid Vermont ENT/Dorset (East Dorset, VT)
Rutland Regional Health Services - Mid Vermont ENT/Rutland (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Regional Health Services - Rutland Regional Medical Center (Rutland, VT)
Rutland Regional Health Services - West Street (Rutland, VT)
Sebasticook Family Doctors - Canaan (Canaan, ME)
Sebasticook Family Doctors - Dexter (Dexter, ME)
Sebasticook Family Doctors - Dover-Foxcroft (Dover-Foxcroft, ME)
Sebasticook Family Doctors - Newport (Newport, ME)
Sebasticook Family Doctors - Pittsfield (Pittsfield, ME)
Sebasticook Family Doctors - Pittsfield Dental (Pittsfield, ME)
Speare Memorial Hospital (Plymouth, NH)
Speare Memorial Hospital - Boulder Point (Plymouth, NH)
St. Joseph Healthcare - Family Medicine (Bangor, ME)
St. Joseph Healthcare - St. Joseph Healthcare Park (Bangor, ME)
St. Joseph Healthcare - St. Joseph Hospital (Bangor, ME)
St. Joseph Hospital (Nashua, NH)
St. Mary's Regional Health Center (Lewiston, ME)
St. Mary's Regional Health Center - Poland Health Center (Poland, ME)
The Health Center (Plainfield, VT)
The Health Center - Cabot Health Services (Cabot, VT)
Valley Regional Hospital (Claremont, NH)
Weeks Medical Center (Lancaster, NH)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (Dover, NH)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital - Barrington Health Center (Barrington, NH)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital - Durham Health Center (Durham, NH)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital - Durham Rehab & Sports Therapy (Durham, NH)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital - Great Bay Family Practice (Newmarket, NH)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital - Lee (Lee, NH)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital - Marshwood Family Care (Eliot, ME)
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital - South Berwick Family Practice (South Berwick, ME)
York Hospital (York, ME)
York Hospital - Berwick Medical Services (Berwick, ME)
York Hospital - Cardiovascular Care of YH - Newington (Newington, NH)
York Hospital - Cardiovascular Care of YH - Somersworth (Somersworth, NH)
York Hospital - Kittery Family Practice (Kittery, ME)
York Hospital - Services at Kittery (Kittery, ME)
York Hospital - South Berwick Medical Services (South Berwick, ME)
York Hospital - Wells Regional Medical Services (Wells, ME)
About FairPoint Communications, Inc.
FairPoint Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FRP) provides advanced data, voice and video technologies to single and multi-site businesses, public and private institutions, consumers, wireless companies and wholesale re-sellers in 17 states. Leveraging an owned, fiber-core Ethernet network — including more than 16,000 route miles of fiber in northern New England — FairPoint has the network coverage, scalable bandwidth and transport capacity to support enhanced applications, including the next generation of mobile and cloud-based communications, such as small cell wireless backhaul technology, voice over IP, data center colocation services, managed services and disaster recovery. For more information, visitwww.FairPoint.com.
SOURCE FairPoint Communications, Inc.