Information on Broadband

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR SUMBUL SIDDIQUI CITY OF CAMBRIDGE Cambridge, MA mayor@cambridgema.gov Phone: [phone removed] OFFICE OF THE VICE MAYOR ALANNA M. MALLON amallon@cambridgema.gov Phone: [phone removed] To: Cambridge City Council From: Mayor Siddiqui and Vice-Mayor Mallon Date: October 21st, 2021 Subject: Communicating information on 21st Century Broadband To the Honorable City Council, We have been meeting regularly with the City Manager and other city staff to discuss a pilot program to bring broadband access to Cambridge Housing Authority properties. This initiative has been in the works for the last six months and we are excited that it is moving forward. The program includes high-speed wired broadband service at one or more of 3 CHA sites. Although the decisions around the service provider and business model have not yet been made, the City is planning to release a Digital Equity Initiative status update later this year that will include additional information. The City also recently announced that CTC Technology & Energy has been awarded the contract to conduct the City’s 21st Century Broadband project. The cost of this $465,000 project will be covered by Cambridge’s American Rescue Plan Act funds. The Purchasing Department and CTC Technology & Energy are in the process of completing the contract which will hopefully be done soon. Providing residents with reliable broadband has been a Council priority and we hope the work can move forward in the near future. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or concerns. Respectfully, Mayor Siddiqui Vice Mayor Mallon