Press Releases

MBI Publishes Proposals To Close Broadband Gaps Under ‘Flexible Grant Program’

WESTBOROUGH – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI) has published the responses sent in by broadband network providers to the MBI’s solicitation for proposals, called the Flexible Grant Program (FGP), to identify potential broadband solutions for unserved municipalities in the MBI’s Last Mile footprint. Initially launched by the MBI on October 5th, the goal of the FGP is to provide grant funding to capable communications network companies willing to design, build, own, operate and maintain a broadband network which meets or exceeds the current FCC broadband benchmark of 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) download or 3 Mbps upload.

Commonwealth, Charter Agree to Deliver Broadband Coverage to Five Unserved Towns

WESTBOROUGH - The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI) and Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) have reached agreement on a contract to deliver broadband internet service to five unserved towns in Massachusetts, eventually providing high-speed connectivity to more than 3,600 homes and businesses.

MBI & Comcast Sign Agreement to Provide Broadband to Montgomery

WESTBOROUGH – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI) signed a grant agreement with Comcast of Massachusetts to design, build, own, and operate a Last Mile broadband network in the Town of Montgomery, the first award made under the MBI’s Private Sector Request for Proposals. Under the terms of the agreement, the MBI will provide an award of up to $805,800 to Comcast to construct the network, which will deliver connectivity to a minimum of 96 percent of residences in Montgomery all at no cost to the town.

Baker-Polito Administration Highlights Impact of Investments in ‘Last Mile’ Broadband Connectivity

WEST STOCKBRIDGE - As part of Small Business Month, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today joined Berkshire County leaders to tour downtown small businesses that are benefiting from upgrades made by Charter Communications and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s (MBI) Last Mile Infrastructure Grant Program. West Stockbridge, Hinsdale, and Lanesbrough did not have access to any broadband services until receiving a 2016 grant through the Last Mile program. The program and investments in broadband infrastructure for towns unserved by high-speed internet are improving channels for businesses to connect with customers and providing digital and educational tools to residents and students.

Comcast Proposal to Close Last Mile Coverage Gaps in Four Unserved Towns Approved by MBI & Baker-Polito Administration

WESTBOROUGH – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) has officially qualified the proposal submitted by Comcast to provide Last Mile broadband solutions to four unserved towns in Western and Central Massachusetts, including Goshen, Montgomery, Princeton, and Shutesbury. Comcast submitted the proposal to wire the four unserved towns in response to the MBI’s recent RFP for Last Mile Grants to Provide Broadband Service to Unserved Towns in Western Massachusetts.

MBI and Baker-Polito Administration Approve Proposal by Charter Communications to Close Last Mile Coverage Gaps in Six Towns

WESTBOROUGH - The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) has officially qualified the proposal recently submitted by Charter Communications, to provide Last Mile broadband solutions to the towns of Egremont, Hancock, Monterey, New Salem, Princeton, and Shutesbury. Charter proposed wiring the six unserved towns, in response to the MBI’s recent RFP for Last Mile Grants to Provide Broadband Service to Unserved Towns in Western Massachusetts. The MBI has agreed, following negotiations with Charter to determine the firm’s best and final offer, to cover 100 percent of the public cost outlined in Charter’s proposal.

Update to Agenda for 2/27 MBI Board Meeting

Please note that the MBI has modified the proposed agenda for the MBI Board meeting scheduled for this coming Monday, February 27th, at 10 a.m.

The agenda will now include a discussion of the proposed MBI Assisted-Build Program and will not include an official vote by the MBI Board regarding such program.

MBI Approves $1.9 Million in Last Mile Grants to Support Broadband Expansion in Alford, Otis, Warwick

WESTBOROUGH – Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced a total of $1.9 million in grant funds for the Towns of Alford, Otis, and Warwick, to finance the construction of high-speed internet networks in the three unserved Last Mile towns. The grant funding, approved today by the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI), is part of the administration’s continued commitment to ensuring broadband access to over 40 Last Mile towns in Massachusetts unserved by broadband internet access.

MBI Launches RFP to Identify Private Sector Options to Close ‘Last Mile’ Broadband Gaps

WESTBOROUGH – November 21, 2016 - Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of a competitive solicitation for private sector proposals to close Last Mile broadband gaps in western and central Massachusetts towns. The request for proposals, issued by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI), will identify qualified private firms willing to design, build, own, operate, manage, and maintain high-speed broadband internet networks in the 40 Massachusetts towns currently unserved by broadband.

Rollout of Pole Surveys in Several ‘Last Mile’ Municipalities to Begin

WESTBOROUGH – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech (MBI) has selected a vendor to begin pole surveys in unserved Western Mass towns, a critical first step in the pre-construction phase which ensures that utility poles and other infrastructure can support the build out of broadband infrastructure in the region.