Progress continues in the once-stalled effort to bring broadband services to the state's rural communities now unserved or underserved by high-speed internet.
Five towns in Berkshire and Worcester counties recently accepted a deal with Charter Communications, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute announced Wednesday.
Charter will build cable networks in Egremont, Hancock, Peru, Princeton, and Tyringham, reaching at least 96 percent of all households with digital television, internet and voice services on a subscription basis.
The company will use a $4,420,000 state grant to build the networks, meaning local taxes won't be raised to pay for the infrastructure. Around 3,600 homes and businesses will be reached. The broadband speeds will start at a base level of 60 megabits per second.
Charter committed to completing the project within one year following the issuance of all necessary permits and authorizations, including pole attachment rights from local utilities.
"As the only legislator in the state who currently lives in a home without access to high-speed internet, I couldn't be more excited for my hometown of Peru to be on the verge of full connectivity," said State Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru.
Mark and other officials said high-speed internet will make a great difference in the economy and quality of life in rural Western Massachusetts.
It's the second grant to Charter under the state's Last Mile program, following MBI's award in August 2016 to support construction of cable networks in Hinsdale, Lanesborough, and West Stockbridge.
The award was made under the MBI's Private Sector Request for Proposals, part of the Baker-Polito administration's effort to bridge the digital divide in 44 unserved towns and nine partially-served towns.
Out of the 53 communities, 46 "have either completed a Last Mile project; have received a Last Mile grant for an approved project; or are considering a viable option to close the broadband gap," according to an MBI press release.
A handful of communities accepted similar contracts with Comcast. Around 18 others have chosen to "go it alone" and build their own fiber-optic networks, using a combination of state grant money and local borrowing.
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute was formed by the state Legislature in 2008 and tasked with investing $50 million to bridge the digital divide. Gov. Charlie Baker restructured the agency last year and appointed new leadership.
MBI Chairman Peter Larkin, a special broadband advisor to Baker, pledged last month in Ashfield that no town will emerge from the state process without a broadband solution.
"We are one hundred percent committed to connecting every town," he said.
Source: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/07/five_unserved_communities_ink.html