MassBroadband 123

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), created by the Patrick-Murray Administration and the Massachusetts Legislature, is building over 1,300 miles of fiber-optic cable to connect over 120 communities in western and north central Massachusetts.

When complete in mid-2013, the MassBroadband 123 network will expand high-speed Internet access to improve the lives of residents, close the digital divide and bring new economic opportunities to the region.

MassBroadband 123 will:

• Connect close to 1,400 public safety entities, community colleges, libraries, medical facilities, and town halls
• Build and maintain a network that will serve 333,500 households and 44,000 businesses over a geographic area covering over one-third of Massachusetts with more than one million residents
• Provide the necessary broadband infrastructure to foster economic growth, improve health care and education, and strengthen public safety.

Federal Stimulus Award

MassBroadband 123 is a critical component of Governor Patrick’s initiative to expand broadband access across the Commonwealth.

In July 2010, the MBI was awarded $45.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to build MassBroadband 123.

The MBI and the Commonwealth are providing $26.2 million in matching funds to bring the total investment in the MassBroadband 123 project to $71.6 million.

The Commonwealth’s $26.2 million in matching funds include:

$3.1 million – Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

$3.1 million – Massachusetts Information Technology Division

$20 million – Massachusetts Broadband Institute