MBI Program Updates - February 2024 | |
Four Plans Approved for Digital Equity Partnerships Program & New Funding Opportunity | |
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The first six municipal digital equity plans have been submitted and approved for the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program! Charlton, East Bridgewater, Lynn, and Randolph are leading the pack of 78 municipalities committed to bridging the digital divide. Read the completed plans here.
MBI will continue accepting applications for the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program until April 12, 2024. If you have not applied, we strongly encourage you to submit an application today.
Funding is now available for communities participating in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. Every community participating in developing a municipal digital equity plan will be eligible to receive a one-time grant of up to $100,000 to begin mobilizing, start-up, and implement digital equity projects at the local level.
To learn more about this exciting new program please register for our webinar set for Wednesday, February 28 from 2 – 3 p.m.
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Coming Soon: BEAD Challenge Process! | |
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High-speed internet is set to be enhanced with $147 million in funding from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program! This program requires MBI to facilitate a Challenge Process, allowing tribes, municipalities, non-profits, and internet service providers to contest the FCC's broadband map, potentially identifying additional federal funding opportunities. Stay informed of the latest information and updates by visiting the BEAD Challenge Process web page!
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Affordable Connectivity Program Begins Wind-Down | |
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has officially begun winding down, with the appropriated $14.2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law estimated to end in April 2024. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started taking steps to wind down the program, including directing service providers to contact affected households no less than three times regarding important program dates and impacts to their service and bill. Households received their first notification on January 25th, and the FCC stopped accepting ACP enrollments on February 8th. Households who have applied for ACP, been approved, and receiving the monthly internet discount will continue to receive program benefits until funds cease, so long as their household remains enrolled. More information, including important dates, resources, and recommended steps for ACP households can be found within the FCC’s ACP Wind-Down Fact Sheet. | | |
MAPC, MBI & City of Chelsea Discuss Apartment Wi-Fi Program | |
On Jan. 17th, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), MBI, and officials from the City of Chelsea hosted an informational webinar on MAPC and MBI’s Apartment Wi-Fi Program. The program provides funding, project management, and procurement support for construction of Wi-Fi networks to deliver internet in residents’ units. The webinar, attended by dozens of municipalities, provided insight into how the partnership formed, what they have accomplished thus far, and how other affordable housing providers can participate in the program. To view the webinar, click here. | | |
Fierce Telecom Talks Broadband Infrastructure and Equity
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MBI Director and General Counsel, Michael Baldino, spoke with Fierce Telecom recently to discuss what the upcoming year has in store for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. He talked about the Gap Networks Program that launched in November, the need for municipalities to implement digital equity plans, and how the Gap Networks Program aims to address the remaining residents who may be unserved and underserved regarding broadband access. Read the full article here.
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January Events: MMA Trade Show, Digital Equity Implementation Workshops | |
On Jan. 19th & 20th, the MBI team attended the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) annual Trade Show to host a booth to promote our ongoing programs and engage communities in municipal digital equity planning. MBI Director of Program Development, Joshua Eichen, also presented a learning lab on the upcoming BEAD Challenge Process to raise awareness of the Challenge Process, its importance, and the anticipated impact. | |
The following week, MBI partnered with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) to host two Digital Equity Implementation workshops on Jan. 23rd & 24th. The workshops, which took place in Springfield and Boston, focused on capacity building and the long-term sustainability of digital inclusion efforts. MBI would like to thank The Tech Foundry in Springfield for hosting the western Massachusetts session and MassDOT for hosting the session in Boston! | |
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MBI is hiring! We’re seeking a dynamic individual to serve as our Housing Broadband and Digitial Equity Program Manager. If you, or someone you know, is seeking hands-on experience in broadband implementation strategies focused on affordable and public housing, digital equity planning, stakeholder engagement, and more, share with your network or apply here!
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In the News
Select Broadband News from Around the State
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Two Essex County Organizations and their work towards digital equity through the distribution of devices and internet services was featured in ItemLive.
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The work Springfield is doing to develop a Municipal Digital Equity Plan was discussed in The Reminder.
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Frank Robinson's retirement, impactful career, and work with the Western Massachusetts Alliance for Digital Equity was highlighted in an article in MassLive.
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