MBI seeks feedback on Internet for All plan

On Nov. 14, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute opened a month-long public comment period to gather feedback about the state’s Internet for All Plan.

The MBI is gathering input from residents, municipalities and organizational stakeholders across Massachusetts in order to deploy more than $145 million for broadband and digital equity projects allocated to the state through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

A year of planning efforts has resulted in two documents to guide the state’s Internet for All Plan: a Statewide Digital Equity Plan, and the Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.

Residents are encouraged to review the plans and provide direction, suggestions and data in response to direct future digital equity efforts and community investments.

An Executive Summary of Internet for All plan is available online and in multiple languages.

The Statewide Digital Equity Plan is a vision for statewide digital equity that will guide broad strategies and goals. The plan is in response to federal requirements for the Digital Equity Act, a $2.75 billion federal program that’s part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program outlines funding and deployment of high-speed internet access across the state. The document is in response to federal requirements for the BEAD program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $42.5 billion to expand high-speed internet access across all 50 states.

Together, these documents will serve as the roadmap for the allocation of millions of federal dollars and investments for those most impacted by the digital divide.

After reading the plan documents, residents may submit comments, by Dec. 15, electronically or in writing using the printable form, which can be mailed to Massachusetts Broadband Institute, Attn: MBI Public Comment, 75 North Drive, Westborough, MA 01581.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration suggests that commenters provide substantive data, facts and opinions, including lived experience; clearly identify the plan section they are commenting on; and suggest an alternative when relevant and include an explanation of how the alternative might be more effective.

More information is available on the Internet for All Plan website.

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute is also conducting digital equity work across the state through its Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program and the Digital Equity Partnerships Program.

In October, the MBI launched the Gap Networks Grant Program to expand access in unserved and underserved locations throughout Massachusetts. The program is accepting applications, and the deadline for the first round is Dec. 11.