Massachusetts and Connecticut prepare for broadband stimulus funds

Although the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) mandated in President Obama's stimulus package has only just completed initial planning stages, states in New England are eagerly planning for projects to make use of the federal dollars.

In Massachusetts, former Department of Telecommunications Commissioner Sharon Gillett was recently appointed to direct the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. Governor Deval Patrick created the institute when he signed the Broadband Act into law in August 2008 to help advance broadband penetration in the state.

Over one hundred Massachusetts companies have expressed interest in applying for broadband penetration funds and the institute itself will apply for grants to help develop broadband availability maps.

In Connecticut, although officials feel that the state is pretty well-served in terms of penetration, state officials are looking to enhance municipal and public safety networks, according to Matt Fritz, a special assistant to Governor Jodi Rell.

Read more about how Massachusetts and Connecticut are gearing up for the broadband stimulus in the Mass High Tech Journal online. 

Broadband stimulus progress report stipulates grant application deadlines (Speed Matters)

Massachusetts Broadband Institute

States eager for broadband stimulus funds (Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology)