Press Release

The Biden-Harris Administration and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Massachusetts had been allocated $14.1 million from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, an “Internet for All” initiative designed to give individuals and communities the tools, skills and opportunities they need for meaningful access to high-speed Internet service.

WESTBOROUGH, MA – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Massachusetts’ State Digital Equity Plan (PDF), which was formally submitted to the federal government in December 2023. The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at Mass Tech will utilize new eligible funding to continue its work with Massachusetts communities to address the digital divide. This includes addressing digital skills training, access to devices, and internet affordability, including increasing access to low-cost options. 

WESTBOROUGH, MA – Today, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech announced the launch of the Residential Internet Retrofit Program, a $22 million statewide initiative to equip public and affordable housing units across the state with high-speed internet for current and future residents. MBI will bring together Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and property owners to upgrade in-building telecommunications wiring, equipment, and infrastructure within older housing developments to provide residents with the necessary network capabilities to fully utilize high-speed internet service essential for daily activities such as communicating with friends and family, remote work, online educational opportunities, and telehealth appointments.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech announced $20 million in new grants through the state’s Digital Equity Partnerships Program, which supports high-impact and scalable initiatives that reach residents most affected by the digital divide.

WESTBOROUGH, MA – Today, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) launched a public comment period to gather feedback about the state’s Internet for All Plan. In order to deploy over $145 million in funds towards broadband and digital equity allocated to the state through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, MBI is gathering input from residents, municipalities, and organizational stakeholders across Massachusetts both online and via mail. A year of planning efforts has established two documents to guide the state’s Internet for All Plan – a Statewide Digital Equity Plan and the Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

WESTBOROUGH, MASS. – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI), on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has launched the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program, a new competitive grant program funded by $145 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund that aims to deliver high-speed internet infrastructure to areas that currently lack broadband-level service. The Gap Networks program aims to expand connectivity to unserved and underserved locations throughout the state to help bridge the digital divide, with a particular focus on communities with substantial low-income households and disadvantaged populations.

WESTBOROUGH, MA – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech has announced the second group of municipalities that will benefit from the Commonwealth’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program, which provides strategic consultation to cities and towns to help them identify barriers to internet access, boost direct community engagement, and execute digital equity plans to close the digital divide. The program will fund technical assistance for 27 municipalities that will help uncover the best ways to leverage existing and potential future resources, build digital skills, and engage residents in order to expand internet access, affordability, and adoption in each community.

BOSTON — During an event at the White House today, President Biden, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and federal telecommunication leaders announced that Massachusetts will receive $147 million from the national Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program overseen by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The program will use $42 billion in federal funds to expand high-speed internet nationwide, including in Massachusetts and the other 49 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and other federal territories. Massachusetts Director of Federal Funds & Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey and Director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech Michael Baldino attended the White House event.

WORCESTER – Over 250 community, business, and nonprofit leaders assembled at Worcester’s Union Station on Tuesday, June 13th, for Internet for All: Massachusetts Broadband & Digital Equity Summit, an event organized by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI). The event included talks and panels featuring community executives, government officials, labor representatives, industry speakers, and broadband and digital equity experts who spoke about best practices to deliver affordable, reliable high-speed internet access to citizens across Massachusetts.

BOSTON – June 1, 2023 – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI) and Comcast announced today a new broadband adoption partnership with, Lead For America, a national 501©(3) nonprofit organization, to bring its American Connection Corps (ACC) program, nation’s premier AmeriCorps service experience, to the Commonwealth in Fall 2023. With support from MBI and Comcast, 15 ACC Members will be recruited for full-time, year-long fellowships to serve as Massachusetts-based, “boots-on-the-ground” support at local host site organizations to help with expanding broadband awareness and digital adoption across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts communities to benefit from this program include: Boston, Chelsea, Haverhill, Holyoke, Leominster, Lowell, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Springfield and Taunton.