Massachusetts Gov. sets 2010 goal for statewide high speed access
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has filed legislation to create a Massachusetts Broadband Institute to extend high speed Internet access to all communities in the state by 2010.
State Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, chairman of the House Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology, was cheered by the prospect of leveling the playing field for the younger generation living in rural parts of the state as well as business in the areas.
"This is a great opportunity for the state to empower and cultivate existing talent," he said. "Particularly for areas like Western Massachusetts, this initiative begins to level the playing field for local students, residents and businesses by opening the door to an enormous amount of information and resources."
The Institute would distribute funds to existing telecommunications providers as well as incoming providers to build and maintain the state-owned high speed Internet infrastructure. This would be accomplished through a series of public-private partnerships.
In Massachusetts currently, there are 62 communities with limited high speed Internet access, and 32 communities without high speed Internet access at all. Most of these un- and under-connected communities are located in the Western part of the state.
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