To the Editor:
Martha’s Vineyard is a community that values connection, whether it’s connecting neighbors, supporting local businesses, or ensuring residents and visitors can access opportunities online, including healthcare, education, and emergency services. Reliable high-speed Internet is an essential part of that connection.
Over the past several years, significant progress has been made by Comcast to expand broadband infrastructure to homes and businesses across the Island. We’re proud of the progress that’s been made, but dozens of homes in parts of West Tisbury, Chilmark, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown are still waiting to be connected.
To address these remaining homes without connectivity, Comcast is participating in a federally funded grant program working with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) designed to bring high-speed Internet to the remaining homes on the Island without service.
To complete the project, Comcast requires access to certain private, special, and ancient ways in order to extend the network to homes that are currently unserved. To move forward, Comcast must secure easements from affected property owners, a legal requirement that allows access to specific areas needed to complete construction. Despite repeated outreach, Comcast has been unable to reach some property owners whose participation is necessary to bring service to their neighbors.
That is why we are asking for the community’s support. If you have been contacted regarding an easement, or believe your property may be affected, we encourage you to respond and work with us as soon as possible so construction can move forward. You can contact Comcast directly at michael_galla@comcast.com or 508-732-1536. We also hope community leaders and residents will help raise awareness about this important effort.
With cooperation and goodwill, we can help ensure that more Martha’s Vineyard residents have access to the reliable broadband service they need and deserve. Timely cooperation from residents is essential to make sure the community can benefit from this onetime investment opportunity and avoid costs that may be required to fully connect the Island in the future. Together, we can complete this important project and extend the benefits of connectivity to all corners of Martha’s Vineyard.
Michael Galla, Comcast director
Government and Community Affairs for South Shore, Cape & Islands
