New Bedford Mayor Pushes Fiber Network to Boost Internet Access

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Mayor Jon Mitchell has unrolled a fiber-optic network plan for New Bedford residents and students to create better internet at affordable prices.

Currently in New Bedford, customers have limited options for broadband service, and the lack of market competition keeps prices high. In a telecommunications survey commissioned by the City of New Bedford, 69 respondents reported paying more than $100 a month.

With the need for affordable, reliable broadband in the city, Mitchell is pushing to make New Bedford more attractive to other internet services to compete with customers.

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In 2022, the City of  New Bedford started laying the groundwork for a fiber network. More than 60 miles of fiber cable have been installed throughout the city over the years to serve as an internal network for municipal government.

Not only will this new network attract new businesses and industries, it will enhance educational opportunities as well.

Mitchell: New Bedford Internet Is Currently Too Costly and Too Slow

In the spring of 2023, over 60 percent of New Bedford Public Schools recorded internet speeds below the Federal Communications Commission standard for education connectivity.

The survey also revealed that families experiencing poverty were more likely to have slower internet service than others.

"New Bedford residents have bills that are too high and internet speeds that are too low," Mitchell said. "This study puts us in a much better upfront position to attract much-needed competition in the market that will put down pressure on prices and lead to higher internet speeds."

READ MORE: New Bedford Fiber-Optic Network Feasibility Study

Mitchell said fiber-optic wouldn't take away from any providers, only offering other services. Currently, Comcast is the predominant service provider in New Bedford but competitors such as Verizon FiOS and Google Fiber are largely absent.

Mitchell noted that establishing New Bedford's fiber optic network will help build out the infrastructure, owned mainly by current providers, and will contribute to lowering residents' cable television costs as well.

Next Steps For New Bedford's Fiber-Optic Network

The City has begun preparing a request for proposals for companies to design, build, operate and maintain the city-wide fiber network.

The City has also applied for capital funds from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute to further the effort. It will also continue to seek state and federal grants to fund the initiative. Philanthropist and New Bedford native Irwin Jacobs funded the speed tests, and ARPA funds were used to fund the feasibility study.

Set to be released this fall, the RFP will require responding companies to provide high-speed broadband options to all residences and businesses in New Bedford.