Massachusetts Technology Collaborative

This is a performance audit of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, focused on parts of its Massachusetts Broadband Institute broadband work.

“I am pleased to provide this performance audit of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.”

The audit checked whether MBI had required plans, rules, and project controls for its broadband programs.

“Specifically, we conducted the audit to determine whether MBI had (1) established a long-term plan and annual operating plans for the use of the Broadband Incentive Fund as required by Section 6B of Chapter 40J of the General Laws, (2) established regulations as well as other authoritative guidance for the administration and enforcement of the requirements of that law, and (3) established controls over its project management for both the Middle Mile and Last Mile projects that were adequate to ensure proper oversight of its third-party contractors and ensure that MBI could meet its strategic objectives.”

The program is about improving affordable broadband access in communities that had little or no service.

“The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), a division of MassTech, was established by Section 6B of Chapter 40J of the General Laws to assess and improve access to affordable broadband services for communities with little or no broadband access.”

For residents and businesses in underserved areas, the work was meant to support broadband connections closer to homes, businesses, and community facilities.

“The Last Mile project is designed to support and invest in broadband solutions for communities in the state that lack residential broadband service by providing local network infrastructure and connectivity to users.”

For the audit period, MBI met the reviewed legal requirements and had adequate controls over project management.

“Based on our audit, we have concluded that MBI complied with the requirements of Section 6B of Chapter 40J of the General Laws in the areas we reviewed that were related to our objectives and had established adequate project-management controls.”

After the audit work, the network operator filed for bankruptcy, MassTech sought a new operator, and the state announced up to $20 million for Last Mile towns.

“On March 31, 2017, MassTech issued a request for proposals for a new operator of MassBroadband 123.”

The audit found the agency's reviewed broadband planning, rules, contractor oversight, and project management were working adequately during the audit period, but later events showed the program still faced operational and funding changes.

“After we finished our audit fieldwork, the following significant events related to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) and its Massachusetts Broadband Institute division (MBI) occurred.”

Middle Mile means the larger network that connects local networks to internet providers; it usually is not the connection directly into most homes or businesses.

“Middle Mile is an industry term that describes the network infrastructure that connects last mile (i.e., local) networks to other network service providers, major telecommunications carriers, and the greater internet.”