The digital landscape in Massachusetts is set for a significant expansion thanks to a substantial grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The Healey-Driscoll Administration received final approval for an $18.8 million grant, a financial move that will enable the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) to extend high-speed broadband to every remaining unserved and underserved location within the state. According to an announcement on the Mass.gov website, this includes 251 communities, 2,565 homes and businesses, and 1,243 community anchor institutions.
MBI will deploy a variety of technologies to achieve this goal, including fiber optics and hybrids of fiber-coaxial and low Earth orbit satellite internet. These efforts build upon past initiatives by the state and federal entities, catapulting the state to over 99 percent broadband coverage. As detailed on the Mass.gov news release, previous programs laid the groundwork for this historic milestone, including the Last Mile Grant programs and the federally funded Gap Networks Program.
Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, underscored the necessity of high-speed internet. "For everything from work and starting a business, to engaging with friends and family, and accessing government resources, high-speed internet is essential for Massachusetts residents," she explained. With the NTIA's approval, the state aims to close existing gaps in connectivity. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll also chimed in, highlighting the drive to bring connectivity to rural, suburban, and urban neighborhoods alike, according to the Mass.gov.
Expansion of internet access goes hand in hand with economic opportunity, as noted by Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. He stated that closing the digital divide would, "As we close the digital divide, Massachusetts is increasing access to critical services and engaging local businesses to build a more fruitful economy for everyone." On a similar front, Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure, Quentin Palfrey, lauded the BEAD program, MBI's role, and collective state efforts to bolster the digital economy and bridge digital disparities.
Complementing the BEAD funding, internet service providers have launched projects through the Gap Networks Program, leveraging over $45 million from U.S. Treasury Capital Projects funds. These endeavors seek to stitch together the remaining breaks in service for 128 communities. Selected for awards through the BEAD program are Archtop Fiber LLC, Comcast Cable Communications Management LLC, Open Cape Corporation, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., and Verizon New England Inc. According to the news on Mass.gov, all partners play a crucial role in Massachusetts's journey to comprehensive broadband coverage.
The overarching mission of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech is the empowerment of the entire state with high-speed internet access. MBI's strategy encompasses a suite of initiatives targeting infrastructure expansion in underserved areas and digital equity programs aimed at surmounting adoption barriers. These efforts address affordability issues, improved public Wi-Fi access, provision of internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy training, as outlined on Massachusetts's own web portal.
