# Jim McKenna

> Jim McKenna is the founder and CEO of Redzone Wireless, a Maine-owned internet provider built around a persistent idea: fiber is essential as a backbone, but fixed wireless can make the costly final trip to rural homes, islands, and small businesses. A United States Naval Academy graduate, former nuclear-submarine officer, electrical engineer, and telecom entrepreneur, McKenna has spent roughly two decades testing that argument across Maine, from early Wi-Fi mesh networks to LTE, CBRS, and next-generation fixed wireless.

- **Role:** CEO and Founder at Redzone Wireless, LLC
- **Organizations:** Redzone Wireless, LLC, United States Navy, United States Naval Academy, Verso Technologies, Cypress Communications, Edge Connections, ICG Communications, Time Warner Cable
- **From:** New Hampshire, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, United States Naval Academy, Nuclear Engineer certification, Naval Reactors
- **Known for:** Built Redzone from an early Midcoast Wi-Fi mesh network into a statewide fixed-wireless provider serving more than 100 Maine towns and more than 20 island communities, according to the company., Secured and deployed a long-term Educational Broadband Service spectrum partnership with the University of Maine System., Led deployments across multiple generations of wireless technology, including Wi-Fi mesh, LTE, CBRS, millimeter wave trials, and next-generation fixed wireless.

## Career timeline

- **1984-1988** — Attended the United States Naval Academy.
- **After 1988** — Served as a United States Navy officer on nuclear submarines.
- **Before 2002** — Founded an early packet-based voice company in Atlanta, expanded it to four East Coast markets, and sold it in 2002.
- **2002-2005** — Worked as a telecom technology executive, including chief technology officer roles, while traveling from Maine.
- **2006** — Founded Redzone Wireless in Midcoast Maine to provide affordable broadband in underserved communities.
- **2008** — Redzone received a ConnectME grant for broadband expansion in Hancock County.
- **2014** — Sold the original company to Maine investors and reformed it while remaining at the helm.
- **2015** — Led Redzone's LTE expansion using a long-term spectrum agreement with the University of Maine System and state-insured financing.
- **2016** — Expanded the network into Greater Bangor and acquired GWI's Midcoast wireless assets, adding rural and island communities.
- **2022** — Launched a next-generation fixed-wireless network with Tarana in Litchfield, Maine.
- **2023** — Publicly recommitted to fixed wireless after new equipment restored his confidence in its speed and coverage economics.
- **2024-2025** — Pressed for coordination and regulatory attention over Redzone's claims of 2.5 GHz interference from T-Mobile's network.
- **2026** — Highlighted self-install convenience as a major customer preference, reporting an approximate five-to-one sales advantage over technician-installed systems.

## Achievements

- Built Redzone from an early Midcoast Wi-Fi mesh network into a statewide fixed-wireless provider serving more than 100 Maine towns and more than 20 island communities, according to the company.
- Secured and deployed a long-term Educational Broadband Service spectrum partnership with the University of Maine System.
- Led deployments across multiple generations of wireless technology, including Wi-Fi mesh, LTE, CBRS, millimeter wave trials, and next-generation fixed wireless.
- Expanded Redzone through the acquisition of GWI's Midcoast wireless network assets in 2016.
- Helped deliver a next-generation fixed-wireless network in Litchfield that demonstrated a 614 Mbps download over roughly two miles with an obstructed radio path.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — McKenna wrote that Redzone's self-install fixed-wireless option was outselling its technician-installed systems by roughly five to one, arguing that convenience and time-to-internet can matter more than price or speed.
- **2025-07** — An FCC order addressed Redzone's interference arguments in a transaction proceeding and said they lacked a connection to that specific transaction.
- **2025-02** — McKenna amplified reporting about Redzone's claims that T-Mobile operations were interfering with Redzone's licensed 2.5 GHz service in Maine.
- **2024-04** — McKenna told an industry publication that Redzone customers were suffering service harm from alleged 2.5 GHz interference and called for direct technical coordination with T-Mobile.

## Links

- Website: https://www.redzonewireless.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mckenna-879bb5140
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/redzonewireless/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redzonewireless

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jim-mckenna
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26