Latest News
New Program Expands Wireless Broadband Hubs in Unserved Massachusetts Towns
Wednesday, April 22, 2020In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at the MassTech Collaborative and KCST USA, the operator of the Commonwealth-owned MassBroadband 123 fiber optic network, are working with local internet service providers (ISPs) to offer new Wifi hotspots to municipalities that lack broadband access. Built off of the MassBroadband 123 network, this new service offers each unserved community a temporary 250 Megabit per second wireless hotspot, free of any monthly charge. This will allow unserved communities that do not have a completed broadband project to increase wireless broadband access for residents and students impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
Read MoreBaker-Polito Administration Celebrates New Broadband Network in Princeton
Thursday, January 30, 2020PRINCETON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today joined executives from Charter Communications, Inc., Princeton town officials and residents, state and federal officials, and executives from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech Collaborative to celebrate the impact of the town’s new Charter-constructed broadband network. During a roundtable discussion with local leaders and residents, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito heard about the impact that the increased internet connectivity is having on the community, including improvements for small business owners, public safety, and education.
Read MoreMassachusetts Pursues Its Own Route to Broadband Expansion
Thursday, January 16, 2020By: Jed Pressgrove
Since 2016, more than a dozen rural communities in Massachusetts have gained high-speed Internet with state support. Mount Washington and Montgomery, with populations under 1,000, have unique stories to tell.
Baker-Polito Administration Announces $10.2M Federal Award To Westfield Gas + Electric for Broadband Access in Western Mass
Monday, December 23, 2019The Baker-Polito Administration announced that Westfield Gas & Electric (WG+E), a public utility supplying electric, natural gas, and high-speed internet service, has received a more than $10.2 million funding authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand fiber-based broadband in 20 communities covering over 12,400 households in rural western Massachusetts. This funding represents the results of last year’s Connect America Fund Phase II auction thanks to efforts undertaken by the Baker-Polito Administration, Westfield Gas + Electric, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation, and state and local leaders.
Read More"Broadband reaches hilltowns with help from state’s Last Mile grant program"
Tuesday, December 17, 2019The Westifeld News' Amy Porter recently highlighted the impact that broadband expansion is having in the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts and the Berkshires, noting the grants from the MBI and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development through the Commonwealth's Last Mile program.
Read MoreBaker-Polito Administration Celebrates Completion of Montgomery Broadband Network
Tuesday, November 26, 2019MONTGOMERY, MASS. – Leaders from the MassTech Collaborative and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI) joined citizens from Montgomery and executives from Comcast today to celebrate the official launch of the town’s new broadband network, a project constructed by Comcast with support from the Commonwealth’s Last Mile grant program.
Read More"Montgomery celebrates new high-speed internet access"
Tuesday, November 26, 2019In late November, WWLP 22 News in Springfield traveled to Montgomery to attend the launch of the town's new broadband network, funded through the MBI's private provider grant program and constructed by Comcast.
Read More"West County Towns Move Forward in Broadband Process"
Tuesday, October 29, 2019The Recorder highlights progress in western Franklin County towns that are benefiting from Last Mile program grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the MBI.
Read MoreCommonwealth Photo Release - "Governor Baker and Lt Governor Polito Observe “Core Bore” in Blandford, Announce Supplemental Funding for Last Mile Program"
Thursday, October 10, 2019BLANDFORD — Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Senator Adam Hinds, Representative Smitty Pignatelli, and other local leaders to observe a “core bore,” the drilling required to replace outdated utility poles and deliver broadband internet. Following the demonstration, Governor Baker announced $5 million in supplemental funding through the Last Mile Infrastructure Grant program, which will cover roughly half the average cost of connecting homeowners to newly installed broadband networks in 21 eligible communities.
Read MoreFour-Town Network on Track to Close Digital Divide in Spring 2020
Tuesday, October 8, 2019WESTBOROUGH, MASS. – WiValley-MA, Inc. (WiValley) has announced that the four-town wireless broadband network, funded by the Commonwealth’s Last Mile broadband program, is now on track to completion in the spring of 2020. Constructed by WiValley in partnership with OTELCO, the new internet service is closing the digital divide for business and residential customers in the Hilltowns of Florida, Hawley, Monroe, and Savoy.
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