Digital Equity

To further its digital equity efforts, the City of Watertown collaborated with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) in late spring/early summer of 2023 on a residential survey. All were encouraged to complete the survey which was intended to assess internet accessibility, device and technical support availability, service affordability, and digital education needs within the community. Data gathered from this survey will be used to inform statewide digital equity efforts and ensure that forthcoming federal funding – administered by the state – will directly benefit local programs for Watertown residents.

Massachusetts Internet for all

View the Stakeholder Presentation: Watertown Broadband Digital Equity Training 06/28/2023 - YouTube

See the Presentation Slides: Watertown Broadband Digital Equity Training (laserfiche.com)

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.


Learn about Digital Equity.

Affordable Connectivity Program information from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) PDF) December 5, 2022

Watertown was awarded a Digital Equity Study grant from Massachusetts Broadband Institute | MBI (masstech.org) 

Watertown is participating in the Massachusetts Broadband Coalition (ma-bc.org)