Kerry, Olver, Neal, McGovern, Patrick Announce $45.5 Million To Bring Broadband To Western Massachusetts

Press Release

Senator John Kerry and Congressmen John Olver, Richard Neal and Jim McGovern, together with Governor Deval Patrick today announced that the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) will receive $45.5 million for investment in broadband technologies for 123 underserved or unconnected towns in Western Massachusetts. The federal funding comes as part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP), which is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This investment represents the culmination of years of work out of the Governor's office and state legislature in cooperation and consultation with federal officials.

Currently, millions of Americans lack broadband service either because it is unaffordable or not accessible. In Massachusetts, it is estimated that there are still more than one hundred small towns -- many of them in the western part of the state - that are underserved. A few of these communities have no access at all. In communities throughout the region, broadband access connects families to each other, students to educational opportunities, first responders to citizens in times of crisis, job applicants to employers, patients to medical care, and small businesses to customers.

The $45.5 million will be matched by $26.2 million in state funding to build MassBroadband 123 -- a publicly owned, open access, middle-mile fiber network covering more than one-third of the state. Services will be delivered by a network operator overseen by the MBI. MassBroadband 123 represents the 101 communities of Western Massachusetts and the 22 additional communities in north central Massachusetts they propose to serve. The 1,101 mile network will connect these 123 communities and the 1,392 community anchor institutions that serve them.

The service area contains more than one million residents, over 44,000 businesses, at least 2,100 community anchor institutions (CAI), and 3,429 square miles. The middle mile network will be within three miles of over 98 percent of households, CAI's, and businesses. This will dramatically change the cost equation and service options for last mile providers and allow for competitively priced residential and business class broadband services.

MassBroadband 123 will create almost 3,000 jobs - 1,435 from building and managing the network and 1,540 from economic development in these disadvantaged areas and the rest of the region.

"This wasn't easy and it didn't happen overnight. I remember sitting with our state legislators and business leaders in 1998 talking about how to wire western Massachusetts for the future. Some people said it was a pipe dream, and now we've proven them dead wrong. We've been fighting a long time to make this day a reality for western Massachusetts and I couldn't be happier. This is history-making. Broadband service is essential to the region's economic future. Our businesses and our kids will feel the legacy of this network for decades to come. Secretary Locke, Governor Patrick, Congressman Olver and our state leaders were great partners every step of the way and I was proud to champion this effort in Washington. Now, after so many meetings, phone calls, letters, and a public plea in the Small Business Committee, this is one huge victory for western Massachusetts. Together with the Open Cape grant we won last year, we can safely say that Massachusetts will have blanket broadband coverage within the next few years, and I couldn't be happier," said Senator Kerry.

"Today, in the four western counties of Massachusetts, there is only one city block in the city of Springfield that can house a broadband intensive business. This puts the entire region at a major economic disadvantage. I am thrilled to announce that with this award, Masssbroadband 123 will change this," said Olver.

"The $45 million federal investment announced today will bring high speed internet access to more than one million people in western Massachusetts, thousands of businesses in the region, and hundreds of community organizations. It will create jobs and help strengthen our local economy. With this broadband technology expansion, the people who live in the 123 unconnected communities will see their quality of life dramatically improved, and their towns will finally bridge the digital divide. This is extraordinarily good news for Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire and Franklin Counties," said Congressman Richard E. Neal.

"This is terrific news for many small communities, including Princeton," Rep. McGovern said. "If we are to compete in the 21st Century economy, we need to provide our businesses and schools with access to the best technology."

"Expanding broadband access has been at the forefront of our economic development agenda since day one," said Governor Patrick. "I cannot overstate the value of this project for the communities of Western Massachusetts that have gone without reliable high speed broadband service for too long. We are extremely grateful to the Obama Administration and our Congressional delegation for supporting this critical initiative and look forward to putting these funds to work immediately so that the businesses, hospitals, classrooms and households of Western Massachusetts can connect to and take active part in a 21st Century economy."