I'm writing to share some of the exciting transformations and important milestones regarding the MassBroadband 123 network and State Broadband Initiative projects. Over the past year, we've made significant progress toward expanding high-speed Internet access to close the digital divide and create new economic opportunities for residents and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

Through the leadership of Governor Patrick and the Legislature, we launched the start of construction for MassBroadband 123 to expand affordable, quality broadband access to more than 120 communities in western and north central Massachusetts. We formed new public-private partnerships to help successfully complete the network and have continued to work closely with municipalities, broadband service providers and other organizations to develop innovative solutions to extend broadband connectivity. We appreciate your continued support and involvement, as we build a sustainable fiber-optic network that will ensure that residents, businesses and community institutions have the tools they need to compete and thrive in today's rapidly growing global economy.

MassBroadband 123

Construction Kick-off

The MBI joined Governor Patrick, members of the Legislature and other public officials to launch the start of construction for the MassBroadband 123 network this past July. The 1,300 mile Internet backbone network will expand broadband access to 335,000 households and 44,000 businesses in the western and north central parts of the state. The network will also provide direct fiber connections to approximately 1,300 schools, libraries, public safety and medical facilities that currently lack reliable, affordable Internet service. To extend broadband connectivity, the MBI is attaching fiber-optic cable to more than 32,000 utility poles in the project's service area. The MBI is a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, an economic development agency charged with catalyzing innovation and expanding technology-related enterprises throughout the Commonwealth.

Design-Builder for MassBroadband 123

G4S Technology, LLC was selected through an open and competitive public procurement to serve as the design-builder for the MassBroadband 123 network and is working closely with the MBI to oversee the final design, engineering and construction of the fiber-optic Internet backbone. G4S has already received over 3 million feet of fiber-optic cable for the network. G4S Technology has expertise in successfully designing and building broadband networks and has deployed over two million miles of fiber in more than 200 rural and metropolitan areas, including 55 miles of fiber-optic cable along I-91 in Massachusetts from the Vermont to the Connecticut borders. The fiber along I-91 is a key component of the MassBroadband 123 network and was built through the MBI's partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Network Operator

Axia NGNetworks USA was selected through an open and competitive public procurement to serve as the network operator for the MassBroadband 123 network. Axia is providing wholesale services on the network to broadband service providers and will maintain and refresh the fiber-optic network to ensure its operability and efficiency. Axia is committed to investing $35 to $45 million in the operations and expansion of MassBroadband 123, which will generate economic growth in the region and spur further investment by broadband service providers. The MassBroadband 123 network will be open to allow any broadband provider to connect and offer its services, increasing competition and affordability for broadband customers.

Connection to Springfield's Major Internet Access Point

The MBI completed an important agreement with the City of Springfield to utilize the city's existing infrastructure to connect the MassBroadband 123 fiber-optic network to the in-region Internet connection point in Springfield. This is one of the critical components necessary to link the entire network to the Internet and expand broadband services to communities in western and north central Massachusetts.

Agreement with Lightower Fiber Networks

The MBI also entered into an agreement with Lightower Fiber Networks to provide long-term access to fiber-optic cable that will connect the MassBroadband 123 network to the state's major Internet connection points in Boston. The MBI is leasing fiber on two diverse existing paths of the Lightower network to provide redundancy, which is critical to ensure that the MassBroadband 123 network remains operational and efficient during a storm or any other event that could impact the operability of the network. These connections will also provide a more affordable option for service providers in the western part of the state to carry Internet traffic to Boston.

Network Sustainability: Agreement with ITD and EOPSS

The state's Information Technology Division and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security will utilize the MassBroadband 123 network for a 25-year term, providing a committed, consistent source of revenue that will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the network. Both agencies will expand high-speed Internet services to over 400 state agencies and public safety entities in the region. Extending broadband connectivity is critical to connect residents with important state services and enable the region's public safety and emergency entities to access and share essential public safety information. The network will also provide communications interoperability among public safety agencies, which will allow better coordination and a faster and safer emergency response.

Last-Mile Solutions

The MBI is working closely with Axia, the network operator for the MassBroadband 123 network, as well as municipalities, broadband service providers, and other organizations to develop last-mile solutions to bring broadband to homes and businesses in western and north central Massachusetts. A critical part of our strategy is to engage municipalities and service providers to plan for and deploy broadband technologies that will best serve their communities.

Grant Awards

The MBI awarded $335,000 in competitive grants as part of ongoing efforts to advance last-mile solutions and expand broadband connectivity to homes and businesses. The grants from the MBI's Last-Mile Broadband Solutions Program were awarded to help municipalities, broadband service providers and other organizations plan for and deploy new high-speed Internet access in the western and north central parts of the state. The MBI funded broadband planning and deployment grants up to a maximum of $50,000 per provider and project, supported by a 25% funding match from the grant recipient. Both types of grants are critical to help leverage investment by broadband service providers and extend broadband connectivity in the region.

State Broadband Initiative Program

Broadband Availability, Adoption and Mapping

The MBI launched the Massachusetts Broadband Map (mapping.massbroadband.org), which contains information acquired from 32 broadband service providers. The interactive map allows Massachusetts residents and businesses to search for information about broadband services, technologies and speeds in their vicinity. The MBI also contributes Massachusetts broadband information to the National Broadband Map (www.broadbandmap.gov), developed jointly by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) as part of an effort to connect the nation with affordable broadband access. The information and maps continue to be updated every 6 months. The next map update will be in April. The MBI is also working with representatives from communities in western, and parts of central, Massachusetts to verify the information received from the broadband service providers. To support this verification effort, all residents and businesses are encouraged to take the broadband survey on the MBI website, if they have not done so already.

Veterans' Portal

Working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services and the Home Base Program, the MBI is continuing to make progress toward the development of a comprehensive web portal for veterans and their family members. The MBI hosted a design session to plan the components of the web portal that will connect veterans to the resources they need and make the online experience of accessing veterans' services more streamlined. The session included Secretary of Veterans' Services Coleman Nee and representatives from 40 veterans' organizations, the U.S. Armed Forces and other government agencies. The portal is on schedule to be launched in April 2012.

CDCs/Small businesses

The MBI is working with community development corporations to provide technical assistance for small businesses and non-profit organizations interested in integrating broadband use and computer ownership into their organizations and programs to grow and create new jobs. The MBI recently issued a request for proposals to competitively select four community development corporations and provide them each with a grant award to administer the program in their service area. The MBI will announce the community development corporation awards in March. The MBI and each CDC will then work together to identify 10 small businesses for sub-grant awards for a total of 40 small businesses. Over the course of the project, the CDCs will help the small businesses develop and implement technology plans for their businesses and provide technical support along the way.

Outreach

Regional Meetings

The MBI hosted seven regional meetings to provide updates on the MassBroadband 123 network and last-mile solutions to bring broadband connectivity to homes and businesses. The community meetings were held in Northampton, Sturbridge, North Adams, Worthington, Great Barrington, Fitchburg and Greenfield and included information on local community anchor institutions that will receive direct fiber connections to the network.

Community Representatives

The MBI is continuing to work closely with designated community representatives from over 120 cities and towns in the MassBroadband 123 service area. The MBI community representatives serve as liaisons for the MassBroadband 123 project and contribute valuable local insight about how the network will impact their communities.

Congressional Outreach

Continuing the MBI's outreach to the Massachusetts Congressional delegation and Legislature, MBI Director Judy Dumont met with staff members for Senator Kerry, Congressman Olver, Congressman Neal, Congressman McGovern and Congresswoman Tsongas at G4S Technology in West Springfield. The meeting provided an update on the MassBroadband 123 project and how it will benefit residents in western and north central Massachusetts. The MBI and Congressional and Legislative staff members toured the G4S facility, where over 3 million feet of fiber-optic cable has already been delivered for the project.

In January, Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, MBI Director Judy Dumont and MBI Deputy Director Jason Whittet traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with staff from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), including NTIA Administrator Lawrence Strickling, the Rural Utilities Service, the Federal Communications Commission and the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, including Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern.
MBI Deputy Director Jason Whittet also visited Charlemont Town Hall with Congressman Neal and State Representative Paul Mark to examine one of the MassBroadband 123 network interconnection points.

The Future of Healthcare in Berkshire County

The MBI joined the Massachusetts eHealth Institute, Senator Ben Downing and members of Berkshire Health Systems to discuss the state's efforts to accelerate e-health initiatives and expand broadband access. MassBroadband 123 will provide the necessary broadband connectivity to support electronic health record systems and other e-health technologies for health care providers and facilities in the region. The Massachusetts eHealth Institute, a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, is working with over 2,500 physicians across the state, including health care providers affiliated with Berkshire Health Systems and other providers in Berkshire County, to accelerate the adoption of electronic health records and achieve federal meaningful use guidelines to fully utilize the functions and benefits of an electronic health records system.

Looking Forward

In the next few months, the I-91 portion of the MassBroadband 123 network will be operational for commercial use by businesses in the Springfield area.
In the spring, the MBI will host a series of summits for community anchor institutions to learn more about the MassBroadband 123 network and the relationship between the MBI, Axia and broadband service providers.

We look forward to the many exciting milestones ahead as the MBI continues to make solid progress on MassBroadband 123 and other innovative projects that promote broadband adoption and availability throughout the Commonwealth. We appreciate the support and collaboration of our partners, as we work together to expand affordable, quality broadband access and close the digital divide in Massachusetts.

Sincerely,

Judith Dumont
MBI Director

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Massachusetts Broadband Institute is a division of MTC