Mitchell Administration Pushes for Better Internet Options for New Bedford Residents

NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell announced the completion of a comprehensive study by industry telecommunications experts that explores the City’s options for bringing a fiber-optic network to New Bedford residents, businesses and students.

Currently, New Bedford customers have limited options for broadband service, and the lack of market competition kept prices high. Sixty-nine percent of respondents to a survey included in the study reported paying more than $100 a month. A city-wide fiber-optic network makes New Bedford more attractive to other internet service providers to come in and compete for New Bedford customers.

Completed by CTC Technology & Energy, a consulting firm with more than 30 years of experience in technology, network engineering and broadband solutions that specializes in providing technical guidance to municipalities, the feasibility study examines the City’s options regarding design, financing, business model, partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and additional aspects of developing a city-wide fiber network.

Broad swaths of New Bedford have internet speeds well below the Federal Communications Commission standard. In the spring of 2023, the New Bedford Public Schools collected upload and download speed data through its program that provided Chromebooks to every middle school student. Data analysis from Digital Millennial Consulting, which is cited in the CTC feasibility study, found that:

  • More than 60% of tested locations recorded internet speeds below the FCC standard for educational connectivity.
  • New Bedford needed to see an increase of 361% to its average download speed and a 761% increase in average upload speed to meet FCC standards.
  • Families experiencing poverty were more likely to have slower internet service than others.
  • “Our analysis, supported by data collected from over 3,000 middle school students’ devices, reveals significant disparities in internet access that impact both educational opportunities and broader socioeconomic equity,” the Digital Millennial study concludes.

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

Recognizing the need for affordable, reliable broadband to enhance educational opportunities, attract new businesses and industries, and improve the quality of life for residents, Mayor Mitchell started laying the groundwork for a fiber network before announcing the program in his 2022 State of the City Address. More than 60 miles of fiber cable has been installed throughout the City over the years to serve as an internal network for municipal government.

The City has also applied for capital funds from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute to further the effort. It will 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.

Next Steps

Based on surveys, site visits and engagement sessions with local business owners, there is strong public support for the City recruiting additional internet service providers to offer customers broadband options.

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

Friday’s presentation is available online.