Connects Update Archives:

May 1, 2008 - Connects Update

BROADBAND BILL PROGRESS IN THE LEGISLATURE

Officially known as “An Act Establishing and Funding the Massachusetts Broadband Institute,” Governor Patrick’s Broadband Bill was favorably endorsed by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets on April 30, 2008. According to the State House New Service, the Committee added $15 million to the Bill to bring broadband access to “underserved” as well as unserved areas. To view the re-drafted legislation, click here (51K pdf). The Bill will now go to the House Ways & Means Committee for their review and consideration. The Western Massachusetts legislative delegation and the Patrick Administration will continue their active support for this Bill. The Connects will forward more information as it becomes available. The status and history of the Bill is also available online and type in House No. 4311 or House No. 4715.

COMMISSIONER GILLETT AT UMASS

On the morning of April 30, 2008, the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications & Cable Commissioner Sharon Gillett spoke at a public “Town Hall Meeting” event sponsored by the Science, Technology and Society Initiative (STS) at the Center for Public Policy and Administration and the National Center for Digital Government on the UMASS Amherst campus. Pioneer Valley Connect Steering Committee Co-Chair Linda Dunlavy thanked Commissioner Gillett for her continued support for broadband access and infrastructure investment in the region. Later in the day, Commissioner Gillett presented a lecture on “Access to the Internet: Broadband in Massachusetts”. At both events, Commissioner Gillett answered questions about the Governor’s bill to create the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and Incentive Fund. The Commissioner spoke of the importance of the Broadband Bill to address the issue of broadband equity and to get broadband access to all unserved citizens in the Commonwealth. She explained the importance of using public resources to leverage additional private investment in infrastructure.

REGIONAL BROADBAND SURVEY & YOUR TOWN MEETING

The deadline for the Connects’ Regional Broadband Survey has been extended to June 30, 2008. The Connects would appreciate the assistance of local broadband groups, public officials and municipal staff in distributing this survey. Some towns have included the survey in town mailings (such as tax bills or town census surveys), town newsletters or made it available at town elections. Given that it is springtime in Massachusetts, it is also Town Meeting time! Making the survey available at Town Meeting is another way to help distribute the survey. The data collected from this survey will be used to (1) demonstrate the market potential for broadband in unserved areas and (2) map the unserved areas of the region at the household- and business- level. For more information check out the Connects websites or contact Sharon Ferry or Jessica Atwood.

March 20, 2008 - Connects Update

LEGISLATION UPDATE

The Connects have received some questions about the status of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute legislation.  The legislation is on track and still in Committee.  The Patrick Administration and the Western Mass legislative delegation expect that the legislation will move out of Committee and come to a vote.  The Connects will continue to assess the situation and be in communication with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, our legislators, and state contacts.  As we learn more, we will pass the information along. 

FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION (FCC) NEWS ALERTS - 2007 DATA & IMPROVED FUTURE DATA COLLECTION

The FCC released two news alerts this week.  The first FCC news alert reported their high speed internet data for the first half of 2007.  They state that providers have reported that 99% of Zip Codes have "have at least one high-speed connection in service to an end user."  The types of "high-speed" connections include mobile wireless, satellite, ADSL, and cable modem services.  The second alert news alert announced an improved data collection method to be employed by the FCC in regards to the "precision and quality of broadband subscribership data."  More detailed information will be collected from providers, including upload and download speeds, the number of subscribers by Census Tract, and more. 

REGIONAL BROADBAND SURVEY

Don't forget the Regional Broadband Survey is still underway!   The survey deadline has been extended to April 30. For more information, go to Regional Broadband Survey.

ONLINE BROADBAND FORUM
The Connects have created an online community forum in response to requests from unserved residents and businesses of Western Massachusetts. Check it out at http://broadband.rnetworx.com.

February 29, 2008 - Connects Update

BROADBAND FORUM - CANCELLED

Tomorrow’s “A Broadband Forum for Western Massachusetts” has been cancelled due to heavy snow warnings.  The City of Northampton has already declared a snow emergency and forecasts have become progressively worse throughout the morning. The decision to cancel and reschedule was extremely difficult, but in the end concerns for the safety of over 270 attendees traveling from throughout the region was the deciding factor.   On behalf of Senator Rosenberg and Representative Kulik, MTC’s John Adams Innovation Institute wishes to express our appreciation for your interest and our commitment to providing you with an even better event in the coming months.  Once, the new event date and time are determined, they will be posted on the MTC Events webpage.

VERIZON ANNOUNCES DSL EXPANSION

Yesterday, Verizon announced plans for DSL deployment in Western Massachusetts (www.verizon.com/ma).  The Connects welcome and are encouraged by any network expansions from the incumbent broadband service providers that reach into the unserved areas of Western Massachusetts.  While we recognize that DSL technology is a reliable broadband service, we are also aware of the technical limitations that limit deployment of this technology especially in the rural environment.  We look forward to a more detailed description of the planned expansion including timelines and anticipated coverage areas.  At the same time, it is important to understand that the proposed DSL deployment does not solve the problem for many unserved citizens and businesses.  This announcement does not change the need for legislation for broadband to all areas of Western Massachusetts and the Commonwealth.

REGIONAL BROADBAND SURVEY

As of noon today, the Connects have received over 3,665 survey responses from 80 Western Massachusetts municipalities.  Thank you for your work in spreading the news about this important survey.  And, if you haven’t responded yet, it’s not too late!  The survey deadline has been extended to April 30. 

February 21, 2008 - Connects Update

BROADBAND BILL PUBLIC HEARING

On Thursday, February 14, an excellent public hearing was held at the Statehouse to hear testimony on the broadband bill, House No. 4311, An Act Establishing and Funding the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. It was standing room only as Chairman Mark Montigny recognized the western Massachusetts delegation for its diligence in bringing to the attention of the committee the broadband challenges faced by their constituents and he also acknowledged the work done by Berkshire Connect and Pioneer Valley Connect. Testimony was presented by Governor Patrick; Rep. Kulik; Rep. Guyer; Sen. Downing; Rep. Pignatelli; Rep. Bosley; Housing and Economic Development Secretary Daniel O’Connell; Telecommunications and Cable Commissioner Sharon Gillett; Administration and Finance Undersecretary Jay Gonzalez; Berkshire Connect President Don Dubendorf; and Pioneer Valley Connect Co-Chair Linda Dunlavy. A special thanks to those western Massachusetts citizens who took time to attend the hearing and give such compelling personal testimonies. There is every indication that the bill will be passed in this legislative session as Chairman Montigny stated that he believes this is exactly how the state should use bonding monies. We will continue to monitor the legislative process regarding this bill and keep you informed as details emerge. Available for view are the testimony submitted at the Public Hearing by Connects (or to download 80K pdf), DTC Commissioner Gillett (or to download 80K pdf), and Governor Patrick (or to download 69K pdf).  An FAQ of questions frequently asked to the Connects about the legislation is also available. Check out "In The News" for the latest newspaper articles about the hearing and legislation.

REGIONAL BROADBAND SURVEY
If you haven’t responded yet to the Regional Broadband Survey, it’s not too late! In response to requests from area communities, the survey deadline has been extended to April 30. We can not stress enough the importance of responding to this survey. Data collected will be used to produce a mapping product that will more clearly identify the unserved areas of Western Massachusetts. If your only internet options are dial-up or satellite, you most definitely want to respond! This is your chance to be heard!

MARCH 1ST BROADBAND FORUM
On March 1, A Broadband Forum for Western Massachusetts will be held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Northampton from 8:30am to 3:30pm. For more information about registration, exhibitor space and an updated agenda, visit www.masstech.org/broadband/bbevent/home.html. You may also register by contacting Adele Burnes at 508-898-3228 x1608 or burnes@masstech.org. This event is being hosted by State Senator Stanley Rosenberg and State Representative Stephen Kulik, and is sponsored by Berkshire Connect, Inc., Pioneer Valley Connect, and the John Adams Innovation Institute of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

ONLINE BROADBAND FORUM
Berkshire Connect and Pioneer Valley Connect (the Connects) have created an online community forum in response to requests from unserved residents and businesses of Western Massachusetts. The goal of this forum is to remove information 'silos' and provide a space to discuss the issue of broadband availability in this region. We encourage you to visit http://broadband.rnetworx.com.

Webpage last updated on July 1, 2008 .