Last week at Farmington River School in Otis, Governor Patrick celebrated the launch of the first segment of the MBI 123 middle-mile broadband network, which will bring fiber-optic connectivity to Community Anchor Institutions, including town and city halls, libraries, schools, and public safety and health care facilities, in 124 towns in Western Massachusetts.

WiredWest congratulates the Patrick Administration on this important milestone. The Cooperative also pledges its support for the Governor’s FY 2013 – 2017 IT bond bill which includes $40 Million to be leveraged for connecting homes and businesses in unserved and underserved towns in Western Massachusetts with fiber-optic broadband.

“WiredWest remains committed to universally available and fairly priced fiber-optic broadband access for citizens and businesses of its member towns,” said WiredWest Chairwoman Monica Webb, “and we see the proposed capital investment by the state as a crucial step towards achieving those goals. We look forward to participating in making a last-mile network a reality.”

In light of the state’s potential last-mile investment, WiredWest is considering options that would leverage the strength of the 42-town WiredWest Cooperative and complement the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s efforts in rolling out last-mile broadband. WiredWest has completed extensive groundwork for this type of network in the region, including market research, mapping of existing infrastructure, financial modeling, customer aggregation, community outreach, and an economic impact study.

WiredWest has been working with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute over the last two years to ensure the broadband needs of its member communities will be met, and looks forward to continued collaboration.

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The MBI 123 middle-mile network was built to serve as wholesale backhaul for last-mile networks and to connect Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs). It will not serve homes and businesses directly.

The MBI’s fiber is similar to a high-voltage power line, in that getting fiber-optic connectivity to homes and businesses from the MBI network will require a separate, last-mile distribution network. Even if the MBI network passes by your home or business, access will only be available to you after routing through a last-mile fiber network which would wire fiber back to your premises.

A last mile fiber network typically distributes connectivity to users via centrally-located facilities, where the necessary equipment can be placed in a secure, protected area with backup power. In WiredWest’s case, those facilities would be located in most town centers.

The MBI 123 network will be offering service to CAIs, which can include your town hall, library, police and fire stations, public schools and colleges, and health care facilities. Most public libraries offer free wireless access, so residents can utilize the MBI 123 network at their local library.

This is another reason the WiredWest network is critical for our communities. The state has created a state-of-the-art fiber-optic highway in our region. Now it’s up to us to build the last-mile “off-ramps,” creating a robust network from end-to-end that finally connects the unconnected, and provides our citizens with access to affordable, reliable and high-capacity broadband.

The best way you can help WiredWest is by completing a Support Card, indicating you would be interested in taking service on the WiredWest network once it’s available.

For more information on the status of the WiredWest project, please see the most recent update here.

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Regular meetings of WiredWest’s organizational bodies were conducted throughout the year, with Board of Directors meeting monthly, Executive Committee meeting weekly and sub-committees meeting as needed.

WiredWest launched our new website in 2012, and has continued with a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Business Planning

Significant work was undertaken in 2012 to enable financing and buildout of the network. That work was made possible by grants from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and the Central Berkshire Fund, in addition to support from donations, Cooperative membership fees, and thousands of volunteer hours.

In the spring of 2012, WiredWest conducted a comprehensive market survey in our member towns. The survey provided detailed information on residents’ satisfaction and usage of existing services, and demand for new services. The results indicated strong demand for the network across the region, and they are being used to develop service offerings and support our pro-forma financial statements.

Last fall WiredWest launched a Support Card Campaign in its member towns. Local residents and businesses were asked to complete Cards to help WiredWest determine the level of interest for services in each town. The information will be used in network design and to provide assurances to potential financing sources. The campaign is continuing into the first quarter of 2013 and residents and businesses that have not yet completed a Card are urged to do so here as soon as possible.

WiredWest has created comprehensive pro-forma financial statements with input from other municipal fiber networks and appropriate financial expertise. The leadership team has met with a number of public and private financing sources and advisers to refine our financing strategy and put the project on track for financing in 2013.

Network Planning

To complete the engineering work required for financing, a database of detailed maps for the WiredWest towns was created. Potential network distribution locations in each town were also visited and evaluated for their suitability.

WiredWest hired Matrix Design Group to prepare a high level network design and cost estimates for the network. They have provided WiredWest with their final report and the options presented are being evaluated to create a final estimate for our financial statements.

FY 2013 Plans

WiredWest will be focused on finalizing the business plan, with a particular focus on the pro-forma financial statements, final network design and other information needed for financing, including the final numbers for the Support Card campaign.

WiredWest will also continue working with public and private financing sources to determine the best and most expedient strategy for financing the network.  We will also continue to solicit grants and donations for interim funding, and will be completing an economic impact study to quantify the regional economic impact of the network which will be important to garnering grant support.

If you are interested in staying abreast of developments, we encourage you to join our email list or follow WiredWest on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Please complete a Support Card here, indicating your interest in future service. The results from these cards will be used to determine where and when to build the network.

We also recommend checking that your neighbors have completed Support Cards. In lieu of completing the form online, printed versions are also available. They were mailed to residents in most towns, and have also been made available in local locations such as libraries and town halls. If you have any questions about how to obtain a card, or would like bulk cards to distribute, please send us an email at info@wiredwest.net.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the WiredWest project and current developments, you may enjoy a recent radio interview that provides an overview of the initiative.

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The WiredWest Coop was formed on August 13, 2011 by 22 Western Massachusetts towns that had voted to create Municipal Lighting Plant (MLP) departments. The MLP legislation, Chapter 164 of Massachusetts General Laws, is over 100 years old, and was originally created to enable towns without electricity to build their own electric systems. In 1996, the capacity to offer telecommunications service was added to the legislation.

Over the past 12 months, an additional 16 towns have formed MLP departments and joined WiredWest, bringing the Cooperative membership to 37 member towns eager to have the state-of-the-art WiredWest fiber-optic network built.

Significant work has been undertaken to create a comprehensive business plan that will enable financing of the project. That work was made possible by grants from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and the Central Berkshire Fund – in addition to donations, cooperative membership fees, and thousands of volunteer hours.

The first major endeavor was creating a GIS map database of all utility poles, structures and roads in WiredWest towns for engineering use. Potential network distribution locations in each town were also visited and evaluated.

In January, WiredWest issued a Request for Information (RFI) for Engineering Services, and more recently, Request for Proposal (RFP) for high level network design and cost estimation. For the recent RFP, 12 responses were submitted by experienced American fiber network engineering firms. After extensive review and due diligence,  Wired West chose the Matrix Design Group of East Hanover, NJ,  to complete the contract. They have designed and built fiber networks extensively in the Northeast, including Massachusetts, completing projects for private and public sector interests, in urban, suburban and rural areas. The work by Matrix is scheduled to be completed in early October, and will be used in WiredWest’s business plan and for financing.

In April, WiredWest completed a comprehensive market survey, conducted by Market Street Research. The survey results indicate strong demand for the network, and provide important information for WiredWest pricing and packaging decisions, and subscription rate estimates.

Last week WiredWest launched its online Support Card, a request form for internet, phone and TV/video services from the future WiredWest network. A printed version of the card will also be delivered to residents in each town over the next several weeks. The results will be used to support financing and in decisions relating to where and when towns will be wired. We urge all WiredWest town residents and businesses to complete the card by September 15, 2012.

WiredWest will be focused on finalizing the business plan, including information from the network design and cost estimation, and the Support Card campaign, over the next couple of months. In addition, WiredWest will be working on potential financing options and an economic impact study to quantify the regional economic impact of the network.

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WiredWest will work with the awardee to create a design that meets the needs of member communities and works for financing requirements. A fiber-optic network is able to process large amounts of data at the speed of light, enabling modern applications for business, education, health care and entertainment. Fiber-optic technology is the backbone of worldwide telecommunications and wireless networks today, and has the capacity to serve our communities for decades to come.

Responses to the RFP are due at WiredWest’s offices at or before July 18, 2012. Questions can be submitted up until July 4, 2012 and the answers will be posted by July 11, 2012. The award will be announced by August 1, 2012.

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2011 was a productive year, with highlights being the official formation of the WiredWest Cooperative by 22 member towns; incorporation with the Commonwealth; development of key financial documents; and the award of two grants to complete critical work for the business plan.

Several new member towns have passed the required votes and joined the Cooperative in 2012, bringing our current member towns to 29. Two new towns, Tolland and Royalston, were also approved by the WiredWest Board of Directors to join WiredWest, which brings the number of additional towns working on completing the governance requirements for membership to 15. We expect most of those towns to join after the 2012 town meeting season. You can check the current progress of towns on the WiredWest Participating Towns Map.

Four new members were voted to the WiredWest Advisory Council. The Council will provide expertise and advice to the project, and serve as advocates for WiredWest. Its members were chosen for their long-term commitment to WiredWest and expertise relevant to the project. New members include special effects pioneer and recent Oscar recipient Douglas Trumbull; Richard Allen, a retired attorney who specialized in large and complex project and lease financings; Ben Schwartz, a longtime advisor to WiredWest, and member of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Board of Directors; and Ryan Shea, a Marketing Director at AOL.

WiredWest recently received a grant from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to assist with legal work and contracts, and that work is underway. A detailed project plan has been developed and significant progress is being made on engineering and mapping, with over $135,000 in pro bono work being completed by volunteers over the past several months. All of WiredWest’s towns’ utility poles, structures and roads are now digitally mapped, providing pertinent information for the engineers. An RFI for engineering work was issued; respondents evaluated; and an RFP for specific engineering tasks is being finalized.

Our current efforts are primarily focused on the WiredWest business plan, which we expect to be complete in early June. One critical task for the plan is a comprehensive market survey that provides detailed pricing and market segmentation information. WiredWest has selected a qualified Northampton firm to implement the survey – however – we are working on finalizing the funding required. As with all of our work thus far, our progress is very much reliant upon grants, donations of in-kind services and funds, and significant volunteer efforts.

Will you benefit from the buildout of the WiredWest network? If so, we hope you will help us reach our goal of raising $22,000 to underwrite the market survey. We have raised $13,500 so far. Donations are tax deductible, done through Hilltown Community Development Corporation. Please see directions here for donating online (or click directly on the Donate button on the top left). Your support is critical to making this network a reality.

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Highlights for 2011 include:

- The WiredWest Communications Cooperative Corporation was established in August, and currently has 24 Western Massachusetts member towns that have passed the Municipal Light Plant legislation. Eighteen additional towns are in the process of voting and/or joining. Voting requires each town to conduct votes at two town meetings that must pass with two thirds majorities. So far, most towns have passed it unanimously or close to it.
- Bylaws and policy guidelines for the Cooperative were drafted and adopted.
- Approval of WiredWest Articles of Incorporation by the Massachusetts Secretary of State.
- The following groups within the WiredWest Cooperative were established to complete tasks and provide guidance to the project:
o Executive Committee
o Board of Directors
o Working committees
o Advisory Council
- Development of a working pro-forma. This 30-page document is a set of projected financial statements in a dynamic format that enables easy modification of inputs.
- Development of an FY 2012 operating budget
- Award of a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) to be used towards a market study, engineering survey, mapping, and procurement support.
- Award of a $2,500 grant from the Central Berkshire Fund.
- Pledges of $105,000 of matching funds and in-kind services to support the project
- Donations of $9,000 in direct donations and underwriting
- Development of a procurement plan for key vendors and services, as required under Massachusetts 30B, the Uniform Procurement Act.

Our ongoing work is focused on finalizing our business plan and its underlying assumptions, and completing tasks for the MBI grant. We will be issuing our first Request for Information for engineering services before the end of the year and also will have a new brand identity for 2012.

Plans for 2012:
2012 will be another busy year, focused initially on finishing the business plan and procuring partners for our financing team and operation of the network. We expect to have the business plan and engineering survey completed by April 1, 2012, and will keep you posted on key developments, especially progress on financing and buildout plans.

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Today, most WiredWest towns have only partial coverage from limited-bandwidth broadband technologies. Forming the WiredWest Cooperative represents our towns taking responsibility for ensuring we have the fundamental infrastructure to support future economic development and quality of life for residents.

Twenty-two Western Massachusetts towns joined the Cooperative, with 18 additional towns in the process of voting and expected to join the Coop over the next year. Founding member towns span four counties, including Berkshire County towns of Egremont, Great Barrington, Monterey, New Marlborough, Otis, Peru, Sandisfield, Washington and West Stockbridge; Franklin County towns of Ashfield, Charlemont, Conway, Heath, New Salem, Rowe, Shutesbury, Warwick and Wendell; Hampshire County towns of Cummington, Middlefield and Plainfield; and the Hampden County town of Chester.  See here for a map of WiredWest towns and their progress.

As part of the official incorporation activities, delegates signed a Cooperative Agreement, elected a leadership team to oversee the project, and approved the Coop’s bylaws. The incorporation took place in Cummington, a town in the geographic center of WiredWest’s territory, and was followed by a celebration attended by town delegates, legislators and regional broadband advocates. Pictures from the event are available here.

Now that the group is officially a legal entity, WiredWest’s focus is completion of a comprehensive business plan, raising financing and planning the network. The group recently received a $50,000 planning grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, and is raising additional local funding to assist with start-up requirements.

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Today, most WiredWest towns have only partial coverage from limited-bandwidth broadband technologies. WiredWest’s goal is not only to create fair access to broadband for all member town residents, but also to provide very high-quality services on a reliable, state-of-the-art network that will meet the escalating bandwidth requirements of businesses and home owners, and provide enough capacity for many decades.

The proposed WiredWest network will connect to the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s middle-mile fiber-optic infrastructure to create a robust network from end to end.

Twenty-three Western Massachusetts towns have taken the necessary steps to join the WiredWest co-operative by passing votes in two consecutive town meetings. Seventeen additional towns are in the process of voting and are expected to join the Cooperative over the next year. A map of WiredWest towns and their progress can be viewed on the WiredWest website.

The WiredWest Cooperative is utilizing “Municipal Light Plant” legislation, initially drafted in 1906, when rural towns faced a similar crisis of access to fundamental services from a lack of electricity. In 1996, the provision of telecommunications services was added to the statute, which enables municipalities to build and operate broadband services in the Commonwealth.

The leadership team and working groups are focused on finalizing a business plan, putting financing together and early network planning. The group recently received a $50,000 planning grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, and has also raised additional funding from local businesses and individuals to assist with start-up requirements.

The incorporation will take place in Cummington, a town in the geographic center of WiredWest’s territory. Detailed information on the meeting is available here.

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