Spectrum announced Friday the expansion of high-speed broadband to more than 1,600 homes and businesses in Etna, Newburgh and Swanville.

The $3 million network upgrade will help people work from home, make it easier for children to participate in remote schooling and allow town residents to take advantage of telehealth services, company officials said during an event at Swanville Town Hall.

Swanville Selectwoman Cindy Bougen said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of high-speed internet “was a huge problem” for students who had to attend classes remotely.

“It became a significant obstacle for our students and our families,” she said.

Bougen applied for a grant from Spectrum to get the service extended.

During Friday’s announcement, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said as a native of Aroostook County, she understands the importance of high-speed internet access in rural areas.

“It will provide new employment and education opportunities and increased access to online health services,” she said. “If you’re looking to move to a rural part of Maine, you’re going to ask, do you get reliable internet service? That is a key factor for a business deciding where to locate and create jobs.”

Spectrum, which operates under the umbrella of Charter Communications, serves more than 448,000 customers in 293 communities in Maine. 

Last year, the company invested more than $55 million in technology and infrastructure in the state, connecting 7,000 additional homes and businesses.

Charter operates in 41 states, providing more than 32 million customers with broadband and cable.

“I’m proud of the work Charter does to expand high speed broadband accessibility to rural communities like Swanville and help families and businesses that have been overlooked for too long,” Paul Cancienne, a member of the company’s government affairs team based in Washington D.C. said.