April 1 - June 30, 2011

The federal award of $45.4M in addition to the $26.2M in state matching funds will be used to build MassBroadband 123, a robust, open access, middle mile fiber network covering over one-third of the state. The 1,338 mile network will connect 123 communities in western and north central Massachusetts and the 1,392 community anchor institutions (CAIs) that serve them. MassBroadband 123 is the transformative missing link to deliver comprehensive economic, educational and public safety benefits to this region hard hit by the national shift from manufacturing to a knowledge-based economy. The project is forecast to add at least 2,975 jobs to the area. 

We were notified that our award was approved on June 30, 2010. For the quarter that ended that day, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute has been engaged in a number of planning activities in anticipation of receiving this award. 

Quarterly activities for MassBroadband 123 were: 

  1. Developed the procurement strategy for the network operator, project management firm, and design/build firm. 
  2. Responded to the NTIA's questions during the Due Diligence phase. 
  3. Developed and issued RFP for the network operator, held a bidders conference, and answered questions pertaining to the RFP. 
  4. Began negotiations with the 3 major pole owners in the service area which as included working sessions to develop plan to work together. 
  5. Conducted numerous outreach meetings with various constituents including a joint session with the Massachusetts E-Health Institute regarding how MassBroadband 123 will assist healthcare providers implement e-health records. Also meetings were conducted with various groups including Regional Planning Boards, Economic Develop organizations, and state agencies. 
  6. Negotiations with the City of Springfield regarding a conduit IRU to connect I-91 to the Internet PoP at 1 Federal St. Springfield. 
  7. Began planning work with WesternMA Connect on outreach to municipalities to prepare for the network build.