2024 will likely be another critical year for broadband access, as states are eager to get the ball rolling on the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
In Massachusetts’ case, it’s looking at the bigger picture, not just network rollouts.
“We look at broadband deployment as more than just infrastructure,” said Michael Baldino, director and general counsel of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI). “Having infrastructure in place is necessary but not sufficient. It doesn’t solve the entire problem.”
Although Massachusetts already has around 99% broadband coverage (based on statistics from the Federal Communications Commission’s national broadband map), there’s still an adoption gap.
“There are people who have access and don’t subscribe to the service,” Baldino said. “That’s due to things like affordability…they struggle to afford the service. It is a matter of, they don’t have internet connected devices. They may lack digital literacy skills.” ...