BOSTON, Mass. – The Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) today announced $12,671,242 to expand internet in locations unserved and underserved by broadband in 96 cities and towns across the state. MBI awarded the funds to two internet service providers, Comcast Cable Communications Management and Verizon New England, through the second round of the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program, which deploys broadband infrastructure in areas that currently it.
"Internet access is an economic imperative, and we’re proud to be expanding access to these essential services to communities across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “MBI is connecting people without sufficient access so they can take advantage of the digital economy.”
"Local communities are a strong partner as we work to identify and solve infrastructure challenges to close the digital divide,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our work to expand internet access will bring enormous economic benefits to individuals, schools, businesses, and nonprofits across our state.”
“Massachusetts is leading the nation in its efforts to expand internet access to every business and residence,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “This round of Gap Networks awards furthers our commitment to ensuring everyone has the access needed to participate in the digital economy.”
"The pandemic in particular showed us how disparities in internet availability and affordability translate to differences in how people participate in and access critical services,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Thanks to funds made available by President Biden's Internet for All agenda, today's awards will help us make critical progress in closing internet service gaps across Massachusetts."
“Our state is one step closer to achieving Internet for All through these strategic investments across communities,” said MBI Director Michael Baldino. “The Gap Networks program will close existing gaps in service, increase community engagement, expand educational opportunities, and advance our overall economic output."
Below are the grant recipients, grant totals, and municipalities served by these awards:
| Grant Recipient | Communities Covered | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Comcast Cable Communications Management | Abington, Andover, Ashby, Ayer, Barnstable, Bedford, Bellingham, Billerica, Blackstone, Bolton, Bourne, Bridgewater, Brockton, Buckland, Carlisle, Carver, Chelmsford, Conway, Danvers, Dracut, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Essex, Franklin, Gardner, Georgetown, Gill, Granby, Groveland, Hatfield, Haverhill, Holliston, Hopedale, Huntington, Ipswich, Kingston, Lancaster, Lowell, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Marlborough, Marshfield, Medway, Merrimac, Methuen, Middlefield, Millis, Montague, Montgomery, Needham, Newbury, Newburyport, Northampton, Northfield, Norton, Norwell, Orleans, Pembroke, Phillipston, Plainville, Plymouth, Plympton, Rehoboth, Rockport, Russell, Salem, Sharon, Shelburne, Shirley, Sudbury, Sunderland, Swansea, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Truro, Walpole, Watertown, Westford, Westhampton, Westminster, Weston, Weymouth, Whately, Williamsburg, Winchendon, Woburn | $11,317,283 |
| Verizon New England | Eastham, Millville, Templeton | $1,353,959 |
The Gap Networks program aligns with the goals of the federal Internet for All initiative, which aims to connect every community across the country to reliable high-speed internet. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute has continued to make significant progress in expanding high-speed internet access, affordability and adoption across the state. In early December 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration committed $14.1 million to MBI programs, including MBI’s Municipal Digital Equity Planning and Implementation programs, which support digital equity initiatives at the local level. Also in December 2024, MBI announced more than $6 million through MBI’s Residential Internet Retrofit Program, which invests in upgrades to outdated wiring in affordable housing units across the state.
About the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech
A division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) is working to extend high-speed internet access and availability across the state. To achieve this, MBI uses state and federal funding to launch infrastructure expansion programs that target areas of the state that lack high-speed internet access as well as digital equity programs that tackle barriers to internet adoption and increase availability, addressing critical issues around affordability, enhanced public Wi-Fi, the need for internet-enabled devices, and digital literacy training. Learn more at https://broadband.masstech.org.
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