Internet Advisory Committee

 Introduction to the Internet Advisory Committee

The Internet Advisory Committee was created by the Select Board on January 31, 2022, to consider the possibilities and potential benefits for the residents and businesses of Westport of establishing a high-speed fiber optic network throughout the Town. Following the vote of Town Meeting in May 2021 to install a fiber optic network serving all the Town offices and schools that could then serve as the backbone for a town-wide fiber optic network, the Select Board decided to establish this Committee and contract with a consulting firm – EntryPoint – to explore these matters. The Committee met with the EntryPoint consultants bi-weekly over the period beginning in March 2022, to learn about the various options for establishing a Town-wide fiber optic network and reaching an agreed set of recommendations for such a system. Those recommendations and much background information are now provided in a Digital Access Master Plan that is accessible on this website: www.westport-ma.gov/masterplan.

Based on these deliberations the Committee is recommending that the Town proceed with:

• Establishment of a Municipal Light Company that will serve as the organization responsible for installing and managing a Town-wide system.
• Adopting the open access model that will provide freedom of choice for subscribers.
• Proceed with a phased installation in different parts of the Town starting with two areas in the north end where most businesses are located and residences are more densely concentrated.  

To implement this process will require:

• Establishment of the Municipal Light Company and decisions as to the Town’s management arrangements with that company.
• Seeking grant and loan financing to fund the facilities.
• Publicizing the new system and encouraging residents and businesses to join it.

The advantages of the new system will include:

• Much higher speeds.
• Lower costs.
• Many choices as to service providers.

More information is available at the following website www.westportfiber.com.