In the past month, both towns have negotiated contracts with local provider Fiber Connect LLC to wire with fiber optics the remaining areas that still are without it, and to provide high-speed internet service in the towns for 10 years.
The agreements are awaiting final approval by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, which administers state broadband money. And both contracts are nearly identical, since both towns were in a similar position and are some of the remaining Berkshire communities without full broadband coverage.
âIt took us 15 years to get to this point,â said George McGurn, chairman of Egremontâs Select Board. âWeâve been struggling.â
With Hawley broadband setup nearing completion, officials focus on connecting residents
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HAWLEY The Florida, Hawley, Monroe and Savoy (FHMS) broadband buildout moved into the fourth phase of a five-phase plan in December, and officials are focusing on connecting residents as quickly as possible.
According to FHMS Broadband Network Committee Chair Kirby “Lark” Thwing, Phase 3 was completed on Dec. 18, building the necessary infrastructure in Hawley on Forget Road near Sidehill Farm, Stetson Road, West Hawley Road near Savoy Road, Forge Hollow Road and near 129 East Hawley Road. Other sites within Hawley have been operational for a few months now.
State extends wireless hotspot program through June, option added for indoor hotspots
The Hawley Highway Garage on Route 8A is a Wi-Fi hotspot for residents. The Baker-Polito Administration has extended the hotspot program through the end of June, benefiting Hawley and eight other towns in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region. Staff Photo/PAUL FRANZ
Modified: 12/28/2020 3:03:40 PM
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The Baker-Polito Administration has extended the free wireless hotspot program launched in unserved Massachusetts towns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, benefiting nine Franklin County and North Quabbin communities.
The existing outdoor hotspots will be extended to June 30, 2021, and the state has offered 24 communities the option to add an indoor hotspot for free to provide connectivity in the winter. This expanded effort was made possible by the broadband funding announced in the statewide Economic Recovery Plan, launched Oct. 22.
Broadband misconceptions in Massachusetts
Modified: 12/10/2020 1:24:12 PM
The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the importance of high-speed internet in Massachusetts for school, work and connecting with family over the holidays and broadband providers in Massachusetts are taking proactive steps to ensure that families and students can stay connected.
They’ve pledged not to terminate service for customers unable to pay their bills, waived late fees, opened up thousands of free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the commonwealth, invested over a billion dollars in programs to help low-income individuals get connected and partnered with municipalities and schools to provide subsidized high-speed internet service at no cost to students or their families.