Patrick introduces MassBroadband 123 project

July 26, 2011
CBS6 Staff

SANDISFIELD, Mass. -- Governor Deval Patrick joined public officials and firefighters to kick-off construction of the MassBroadband 123 fiber-optic network project on Tuesday.

The event at the Sandisfield Fire Department marked the launch of one of the largest fiber-optic expansions under construction in the nation. The project will expand broadband access to more than 120 communities in western and north central Massachusetts.

"For too long, families and businesses in western Massachusetts have lived without reliable and affordable high-speed Internet access," Governor Patrick said. "Today, as we commence the installation of more than 1,000 miles of fiber-optic cable across the region, we start the critical final step in delivering broadband access to everyone. The digital divide in Massachusetts is about to close."

"The MassBroadband 123 network will allow police, fire and emergency personnel to access to the most up-to-date information and resources to protect the public," said Sandisfield Fire Chief Ralph Morrison. "This will greatly enhance our ability to keep our residents safe."

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Broadband Technology Opportunities Program funds will be used to complete the project which, over the next two years, will put hundreds of people to work building a fiber-optic network to serve 333,500 households and 44,000 businesses in an area with more than one million residents.

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute, the Commonwealth’s Information Technology Division, and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security are providing $26.2 million in matching funds for the project.