The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative has issued a request for proposals for a broadband network operator to operate, manage, market, maintain and expand the current approximately 1,100-mile MassBroadband 123 network.
The MassTech network is a state-owned, open access, carrier-grade, mid-mile telecommunications network that became operational in early 2014. The network consists of 952 miles of man-made fiber, 192 miles of leased fiber, and is dependent on the backbone to vary between 72 and 288 strands.
MassTech is executing an open, competitive procurement process to select a carrier and will evaluate proposals based on a combination of technical and financial criteria. The proposal deadline is September 9, and a video conference will be held on July 27. The award date is expected to be Oct. 31.
The Massachusetts group hopes to enter into a 15-year contract in which the selected operator will have the right to operate wholesale and retail operations and to invest and expand beyond its existing network.
MassTech is an independent public vehicle of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, chartered by the Commonwealth to serve as a catalyst for the development of its innovation economy.
Federal Broadband Funding
As states prepare to receive federal broadband funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), we may see more RFPs.
Available funds include the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the $1 billion Supporting Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program, and the $1.5 billion State Digital Equity Act program. The Mesa, Arizona City Council voted to approve four different providers to build an open access network to serve more than 220,000 homes and businesses in the greater Phoenix area.
The city council filed a request for information (RFI), and then it accepted four companies: SiFi Networks, Google Fiber, Wyyerd and Generate Ubiquity.
