Today, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) hosted its first ever Digital Inclusion Awards during National Digital Inclusion Week. The event, held at BrickBox Theater in Worcester, celebrated individuals and organizations making significant achievements in expanding internet access, adoption and affordability across Massachusetts.
BOSTON – Today, the Biden-Harris administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Massachusetts’ proposal under NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program that will allow Massachusetts to request up to $147 million in federal funding to expand access to high-speed internet in the state.
WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – The Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), awarded $45.4 million in grants through the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Program, a program funded through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund that aims to expand high-speed broadband internet infrastructure to underserved homes, business, and community anchor institutions across the state.
WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – The Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) in partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) today launched a new initiative seeking feedback from residents about high-speed internet availability across the state.
The Biden-Harris Administration and the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Massachusetts had been allocated $14.1 million from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, an “Internet for All” initiative designed to give individuals and communities the tools, skills and opportunities they need for meaningful access to high-speed Internet service.
WESTBOROUGH, MA – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Massachusetts’ State Digital Equity Plan (PDF), which was formally submitted to the federal government in December 2023. The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at Mass Tech will utilize new eligible funding to continue its work with Massachusetts communities to address the digital divide. This includes addressing digital skills training, access to devices, and internet affordability, including increasing access to low-cost options.
WESTBOROUGH, MA – Today, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech announced the launch of the Residential Internet Retrofit Program, a $22 million statewide initiative to equip public and affordable housing units across the state with high-speed internet for current and future residents. MBI will bring together Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and property owners to upgrade in-building telecommunications wiring, equipment, and infrastructure within older housing developments to provide residents with the necessary network capabilities to fully utilize high-speed internet service essential for daily activities such as communicating with friends and family, remote work, online educational opportunities, and telehealth appointments.
WESTBOROUGH, MA – The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech has announced a third group of 16 cities and towns participating in the Commonwealth’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. The program provides municipalities across the state with free strategic planning from pre-qualified consultants to help cities and towns determine the main impediments to internet access and help focus on solutions to bridge the existing digital divide, and tackle issues around affordability, digital literacy training, device access, and other barriers.
Seven Massachusetts communities and regions were named National Digital Inclusion Trailblazers by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA). Several of these communities participate in MBI's Municipal Digital Equity Planning grant program:
City of Boston; Pioneer Valley Region; City of Pittsfield; City of Quincy; Town of Randolph and; the City of Somerville. Also included is the Boston Metro Region, which highlights the work of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and partners to boost connectivity and access across the region.
