Western Massachusetts sprints into the digital age with a massive high-speed network.

Western Massachusetts is beloved by tourists wanting a break from their fast-paced lifestyles; however, being cut off from the rest of the digital world was limiting the region’s economic opportunities and residents’ quality of life. Businesses, schools, city government, and hospitals were not keeping pace with their peers in other parts of the state. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) led an initiative to deliver a broadband Internet backbone, helping increase access for Western Massachusetts.

MBI is a public agency that led a multifaceted, four-year effort to deliver a broadband Internet backbone, connecting local government offices, schools, libraries, and police departments across Western Massachusetts via a 1200-mile fiber-optic network.

Overview


Company Massachusetts Broadband Institute
Industry Government and Non-Profit
Products used MX480
Region Americas
Massachusetts Broadband Institute Image
"MassBroadband 123 is the foundation for our current work to extend connectivity across the last mile, to unserved homes and businesses in these regions. We expect a wealth of long-term benefits from these investments."
Dave Charbonneau Technical Director, MBI

Business Challenge(s)

MBI’s challenge was to build a robust network that would be the foundation for Massachusetts’ “last mile” expansion projects. The project delivered fiber broadband Internet access to more than 1100 government and community organizations in a region with more than one million residents.

Technology Solution

The multi-tiered network uses MX480 3D Universal Edge Routers at each of its interconnection points. These routers connect to EX4200, providing the network’s aggregation and access layers. Junos Space Network Management Platform delivers comprehensive network management, allowing network administrators to easily configure new infrastructure and updates and monitor network activity.

Business Results

The MassBroadband 123 network continues to prove its value as more community anchor institutions sign up for network services. Increased bandwidth to libraries has helped residents search for jobs and achieve digital literacy, while connecting small-town police forces to national databases has improved public safety.

"As a public agency, the MBI is required to do thorough reviews of all vendors. Juniper's carrier-class reliability and management platform provided us the best visibility into network activity, which was why they rose to the top in our review process."
Dave Charbonneau Technical Director, MBI