In keeping with Governor Patrick's commitment to expand broadband access in western Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) entered into an agreement with Lightower Fiber Networks, the premier metro fiber network and bandwidth service provider in the Northeast.

The agreement is part of the statewide broadband expansion initiative to expand broadband services and Internet throughout the state of Massachusetts. MassBroadband 123 is expanding high-speed Internet to over 120 communities in western and north central Massachusetts.

Lightower, the premier metro fiber and bandwidth provider in the Northeast, was selected through an open, rigorous and highly competitive procurement process.

As per the Broadband Initiative, the MBI will lease fiber on two diverse existing paths of the Lightower network in order to connect the MassBroadband 123 network with a major New England Internet access point in Boston.

Lightower's giber optic backbone is expected to provide residents and businesses in the region with innovative broadband technology, connecting western and north central Massachusetts to all corners of the Commonwealth and the major Internet connection points in Boston.

As a result, service providers will now have a more affordable option in the western part of the state to carry Internet traffic to Boston.

"Extending broadband access will strengthen the state's innovation economy and enhance our competitiveness," commented Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, in a statement.

She also noted that the broadband initiative would attract private investment in the state and position the commonwealth for future economic success.

In other news, Lightower Fiber Networks announced its new ultra-low latency network across 15 strategic locations in the New York city and New Jersey area, targeting the region's financial markets. The all-optical network leverages wavelength technology combined with unique fiber routes owned and operated by Lightower to offer best-in-class latencies between key financial facilities in the region.

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