Case Study: Massachusetts Broadband Institute achieves a 1,200-mile high-speed fiber backbone connecting 1,100+ public facilities with Juniper Networks

Western Massachusetts Sprints into the Digital Age with Massive High-Speed Network

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) led the MassBroadband 123 initiative to bring modern broadband to rural and underserved parts of Western and North‑Central Massachusetts. The challenge was to design and deploy an open‑access, carrier‑grade, highly available and scalable middle‑mile network that could span hilly, low‑density terrain, interconnect multiple carriers, and serve as the core foundation for Last Mile expansion to schools, libraries, hospitals, police and local governments.

MBI deployed Juniper MX480 edge routers, EX4200/EX2200 switches and the Junos Space management platform over a 1,200‑mile fiber network, connecting more than 1,100 public facilities in 120+ communities. The network supports 1/2.5/10 Gbps (scalable to 40 Gbps), increased library and educational access, enabled telemedicine and enhanced public‑safety access to national databases, and provides a durable backbone for ongoing Last‑Mile growth.

Massachusetts Broadband Institute

Dave Charbonneau

Technical Director