Program Updates - September 2024

MBI to Host Digital Equity Inclusion Event

On Wednesday, October 9, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) will host a digital inclusion event to celebrate digital practitioners and the digital equity work taking place across the state. 

Celebrating Digital Equity in Massachusetts: A Forum for Innovation and Collaboration, will be hosted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Worcester. The event will also celebrate MBI’s first-ever Digital Inclusion Awards, to honor and celebrate the remarkable achievements in digital equity and inclusion in Massachusetts. 

This event also will allow attendees to immerse themselves in a day filled with inspiration from fellow digital equity practitioners, stories from residents impacted by this work and valuable networking opportunities. Additionally, digital equity professionals will have the opportunity to connect with fellow experts across sectors and industries who are closing the Bay State's digital divide.  

Those wishing to attend the event should register here to confirm their attendance. Questions about the event can be emailed to broadband@masstech.org. 

Residential Retrofit Program Round Two RFP Has Launched

The Residential Retrofit Program launched the second Request for Proposals (RFP) on Monday, September 16. The RFP includes 9,000 units of affordable housing across 90 developments statewide. 

MBI will host a bidders' conference for internet service providers (ISPs) who plan to respond to the RFP on Tuesday, September 23. Interested ISPs can register here for the webinar. 

Housing operators interested in participating in the program to bring residents of public and affordable housing improved broadband can begin the process by filling out an expression of interest here. To learn more about the program visit the MBI Residential Retrofit webpage. 

Massachusetts Challenge Process Rebuttal Phase Ends

The rebuttal phase of the Massachusetts Challenge Process for MBI’s $147 million Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program has ended. The rebuttal phase was the third phase of the Challenge Process, and the final step before the adjudication phase. MBI will review both challenge and rebuttal evidence to determine a final list of BEAD eligible locations that will be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for approval.  

MBI will share challenge process data on the website once it becomes available.

BEAD Program Pre-Qualification Process Announced

The next step in the BEAD Program is for MBI to administer a pre-qualification process. MBI’s intention to administer the process, along with preliminary information, was announced via public notice on August 27, which can be accessed here. 

The pre-qualification process will support the review and approval of subgrantee applications to certify that potential applicants meet the minimum necessary qualification requirements to be awarded BEAD funds. Potential BEAD applicants are strongly encouraged but not required to pre-qualify for BEAD deployment projects before the launch of the BEAD subgrantee selection process. Applicants that elect not to participate in the prequalification process will still be subject to a full review of qualifications during the funding round(s) that they participate in.  

The pre-qualification process will open on September 26 and will be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Volume II of the BEAD Initial Proposal for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as approved by NTIA. Interested parties will be able to access the BEAD Pre-Qualification Guide and the application once they are published on the MBI website.  

Time is Running Out to Apply for NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant 

Applications for the NTIA’s new competitive grant program are due on Monday, September 23 and must be submitted through the NTIA Grants Portal. The new program, which was announced in late July, is a $1.25 billion program to address barriers to digital equity faced by covered populations. The grant program will support entities’ efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion activities, and spur greater adoption and meaningful use of broadband among covered populations. 

Examples of eligible uses of funds include the following activities:  

• Development and implementation of digital inclusion activities to benefit one or more of covered populations.    
• Facilitation of broadband adoption to provide educational and employment opportunities for covered populations  
• Implementation of training programs for covered populations for workforce development programs for basic, advanced and applied skills such as digital inclusion projects to address online safety, prevent online harassment and prevent online abuse  
• Ensuring availability of equipment, instrumentation, networking capability hardware and software or digital network technology for broadband services to covered populations at low or no cost.   
• Constructing, upgrading, expanding or operating new or existing public access computing centers for covered populations through community anchor institutions.    

Entities (such as non-profit foundations, corporations, institutions, or associations) community anchor institutes carrying out workforce development programs; tribal entities and others are eligible to apply for this funding. More information, including details of eligibility, can be found here.  

Survey Development and Deployment Services RFP Responses Due

Employment Opportunity: Broadband and Digital Equity Grants Manager

Meet the MBI Team: Operations Project Manager, Madison Trepanier

Meet MBI Operations Project Manager, Madison Trepanier (she/they). Trepanier is the glue that holds the MBI team and projects together, facilitating team meetings, developing and tracking reporting metrics, creating and facilitating processes, and more. They work across all the MBI programs to help ensure everything is on track, running smoothly and goals are met. When they’re not helping MBI to close the digital divide, they work tirelessly to promote and advocate for causes they feel passionate about such as conscious consumption, sustainability, and environmentalism. Find Trepanier and the rest of the MBI team’s contact information here. 

In the News

Select Broadband News from Around the State

• The impact of $147 million in BEAD funding on the Berkshire region was discussed in the Berkshire Eagle.



• The expansion of internet access in Gardner through the Gap Networks Grant Program was highlighted in the Gardner News.

• MBI's ongoing work to close the digital divide in Massachusetts was spotlighted in BusinessWest.

• Massachusetts' ongoing work through the BEAD Program was reported on by the Benton Institute For Broadband & Society.