Massachusetts has announced that Verizon New England Inc. will receive over $37 million in funding to expand high-speed broadband internet infrastructure in 26 municipalities across the state. This funding is part of a $45.4 million grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s (MassTech) Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) via the state’s Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Program. The program, funded through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, aims to expand high-speed broadband internet access to communities that currently lack it.
Other grant recipients include Comcast, Greenfield Community Energy and Technology, and Spectrum Northeast LLC. The funds will be used to deliver projects that meet certain criteria, such as providing internet speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and uploads, ensuring internet access to 100% of all existing unserved and underserved serviceable locations, and reaching substantial project completion before December 31, 2026.
The four awardees will work with MBI to validate the unserved and underserved location count included in each grantee’s proposal, with the goal of connecting 100% of the serviceable locations in each community. The Gap Networks program is open for additional applications, with the deadline for the second round being July 2.
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute, a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, is working to extend high-speed internet access and availability statewide with state and federal funding. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll emphasized the importance of reliable high-speed internet access for residents, stating that it is crucial for education opportunities and economic growth. The administration is also focusing on skills training programs, expanding access to internet-enabled devices, and increasing public Wi-Fi hotspots to unlock new economic opportunities for residents across the state.
