A $12.6 million grant will build out broadband infrastructure for nearly 100 underserved communities across the state, including customers in the Pioneer Valley.
Comcast subscribers in Buckland, Conway, Gill, Montague, Northfield, Shelburne, Sunderland and Whately in Franklin County, as well as Phillipston in the North Quabbin region and several communities in Hampshire County, will see faster internet as Comcast uses the funds to extend its broadband infrastructure. Comcast Cable Communications Management received $11.3 million and Verizon New England got $1.3 million to grow broadband in Eastham, Millville and Templeton.
“We are delighted to have been selected by Massachusetts Broadband Institute to expand our Xfinity network to unserved areas across the commonwealth and enable residents to benefit from the power of the internet,” said Carolyne Hannan, senior vice president of Comcast’s New England region. “Thank you to the dozens of communities that submitted letters in support of our application, further validating the strong demand for Xfinity and Comcast Business services.”
In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey said, “Internet access is an economic imperative, and we’re proud to be expanding access to these essential services to communities across the state. MBI is connecting people without sufficient access so they can take advantage of the digital economy.”
As part of the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program, the funding awarded by the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) aligns with federal “Internet for All” initiatives to connect all locations with high-speed internet. MBI’s mission is to localize this initiative by funding internet projects in Massachusetts.
“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,” Massachusetts Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey said in a statement. “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.”
Focused on unserved and underserved communities, the Gap Networks Grant Program, according to MBI, only funds projects that allow for 100 megabits per second for both download and upload speeds. Recipients must match at least 20% of the contributions.
“Our state is one step closer to achieving Internet for All through these strategic investments across communities,” MBI Director Michael Baldino said in a statement. “The Gap Networks program will close existing gaps in service, increase community engagement, expand educational opportunities and advance our overall economic output.”