Overview
Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is committed to bring affordable, reliable high-speed internet to every home in the Commonwealth.
The need for broadband in the 21st century is often compared to the need for electricity or phone service in previous centuries. Connectivity is a foundational pillar of a competitive economy. Broadband and Digital Inclusion are essential to fully participate in today’s society and critically important for our future prosperity. Achieving Internet for All will empower everyone in the Commonwealth to fully engage in their communities and realize their full potential.
Internet for All in Massachusetts
As the state's leading agency for broadband and connectivity, MBI is dedicated to bringing affordable, high-speed internet to every person in Massachusetts. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated $147 million to Massachusetts to expand high-speed internet access and digital equity programming across the state. The first step to deploying these funds was developing a strong plan, informed by organizational stakeholders and residents of the Commonwealth. Over the last year, MBI has led a planning effort that has resulted in the development of two guiding planning documents – a Statewide Digital Equity Plan and what is known as the Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. These two documents create the Massachusetts Internet for All Plan.
Massachusetts State Digital Equity Plan
The Digital Equity Act is a $2.75 billion dollar federal program that is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It invites states to undertake a comprehensive planning process to establish a vision for digital equity that will guide overarching strategies and goals. The Statewide Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) is Massachusetts’ response to federal requirements for the Digital Equity program and will be incorporated into the larger vision of Internet for All across the Commonwealth.
Executive SummaryClick to View Executive Summary PDF (English) |
Español: Resumen ejecutivo (PDF | 214 KB) Formulario de comentarios (PDF | 133 KB)
Português: Sumário executivo (PDF | 189 KB) Formulário de comentários (PDF | 131 KB)
Kreyol Ayisyen: Kreyol Ayisyen (PDF | 186 KB) Fòm kòmantè (PDF | 129 KB)
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Plan
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all 50 states. The BEAD Initial Proposal is Massachusetts’ response to federal requirements for the BEAD program and will be incorporated in the larger vision for Internet for All across the Commonwealth.
BEAD Volume 1
BEAD Volume 2
Plan Development Process
Internet for All Listening Tour
MBI hosted many activities to help shape the State Digital Equity Plan and 5-year Strategic Broadband Action Plan that is available for download and public comment above. The listening sessions, which started in September, were an opportunity for the public to share their experiences, ideas, and vision for a connected Massachusetts, tackling key questions around internet access, adoption, affordability, digital skills training, and device availability. In addition, focus groups gathered input directly from covered populations and underrepresented communities identified by the federal programs. Visit the webpage here to review recaps on those events, resources, and photos from Listening Session Tour.
2023 Event Recaps
- June 13 - Broadband & Digital Equity Summit - Worcester, MA
- Sept. 7 - Southeast Listening Session - Brockton, MA
- Sept. 13 - The Berkshires Region Listening Session - Pittsfield, MA
- Sept. 14 - The Valley Region Listening Session - Holyoke, MA
- Sept. 20 - The Northeast Region - Lowell, MA
- Sept. 26 - The Berkshires Virtual Listening Session
- Sept. 28 - Cape Cod & Islands Region Listening Session - Hyannis, MA
- Sept. 30 - Greater Boston Region Listening Session - East Boston, MA
- Oct. 3 - Rural Communities Listening Session - Greenfield, MA
- Oct. 5 - Central MA Region Virtual Listening Session