In a bid to increase revenue and bring dollars into the state of Maine, Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) is partnering with Tilson Technology Management to lease space on their standing broadcast towers throughout the state.  MPBN hired Tilson Technology Management to increase their tenant load on their existing towers to maximize their assets to increase revenue.  In the first few months of the partnership, MPBN and Tilson closed a lease deal with a total value of $1.1 million to be spread out over the 25-year lease with a major out-of-state wireless provider.  This deal is bringing out of state dollars into Maine while supporting new wireless services for Maine consumers. This effort directly supports MPBN’s charitable purpose by providing facilities for the broadcasting industry in Maine and to provide financial support for MPBN’s programming. 

MPBN’s broadcast towers are strategically located throughout the state in order to broadcast MPBN’s signals to all parts of Maine.  Known for being good stewards of listener-supported funds, MPBN is looking to ensure quality and service throughout the state by supplementing revenue with the leasing of tower space.  The partnership between MPBN and Tilson streamlines the site acquisition process for mobile carriers and other wireless operators.  MPBN President, Jim Dowe, states “In these economic times, we wanted to be creative and entrepreneurial in our approach to supporting our charitable purpose.  Our towers help to broadcast our signal state-wide.  Now, with the help of Tilson Technology Management of Portland, the towers themselves are helping to pay for this service to Mainers.  To the wireless community, I want to state clearly that we are open for business.”  As a further step to increase revenue, Tilson and MPBN are leveraging MPBN’s highly skilled and experienced RF Engineering team to consult for other tower companies in New England.  With this effort MPBN is ensuring their own financial future as well as helping other businesses operate effectively and safely in Maine.

Tilson Technology Management is an, independent information technology project management company located in Portland, Maine, with an international practice.  They are working to find tenants from across the country for MPBN’s towers.  Josh Broder, Tilson Technology Management President, asserts, “MPBN has a tremendous asset in both its tower infrastructure and engineering team. We are working to get the word out so that others can benefit from both capabilities while providing new revenue to MPBN. Our job is to make accessing tower space and radio frequency engineers easy and affordable to businesses and organizations looking to communicate in Maine.”