What is the status of broadband availability in Massachusetts?
- "Thirty-two towns in Massachusetts currently have no broadband access whatsoever. An additional 63 communities are partially served, with broadband available only in certain areas of the community. All but one of the completely unserved communities, as well as many of the underserved ones, are located in Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties in Western Massachusetts." Commonwealth of MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations press release.
- Map [PDF] of broadband availability in MA
Who oversees internet access and other telecommunications policies in Massachusetts?
What is the State's stand on broadband access?
- Update: The MA Broadband Initiative was launched August 2008. For an article about the launch, click here
- The State also created a Department of Telecommunications and Cable
in April 2007: "Pursuant to the Governor's Reorganization Plan, House Bill 2034, the Department of Telecommunications & Energy ceases to exist as of April 11, 2007. In its place, the Plan establishes two new agencies: The Department of Telecommunications & Cable (DTC) will handle telecommunications and cable issues and The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will handle electric, gas, siting, pipeline, water and transportation issues."
- See also: Department of Telecommunications and Cable homepage
- Commissioner Sharon Gillett's biography
What is the status of the state's broadband initiative?
- See the DTC's May 2008 press release about the progress of the bill here.
Where can I find more information about broadband initiatives in my area?
- There are several organization and initiatives working on telecommunications policy and broadband access across the state. The following organizations/initiatives are good starting points for more information, but do not represent every organization in the state. If you know of another organization we should include in this list, please contact us.
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What is the status of the Cable Franchise bill?
- The Cable Franchising Bill calls for a commission to be established to study statewide franchising and to report their findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2008. The committee is to be comprised of members of the legislature, the Commissioner of the DTC, several municipal representatives and consumer advocates. The bill has been reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy and as of May 2008 is with Senate Ways and Means.
- Click here to see all the open submissions in the DTC's cable franchising proceeding, CTV 06-1.
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How can I comment on the Cable Franchise bill?
- Comments about this legislation should be directed to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy and the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. Contact information is available on the General Court's homepage .
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Will my TV work after February 2009?
- If you have an analog-only TV and don’t have cable or satellite, you will need a digital converter box to receive any local over-the-air broadcasts after February 17, 2009. See the MA Dept of Telecommunications and Cable website for more informatin.
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