Insights > Case Study

Rhode Island's First
Municipally Owned Network

When the Town of New Shoreham set out to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to every household and business on Block Island, they turned to ProInfoNet’s broadband consulting arm, Mission Broadband. Together, we designed and implemented a comprehensive Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) network, supported by a high-speed fiber optic backbone that now spans the entire island.

ABOUT THE CUSTOMER

The Town of New Shoreham, located on Block Island, Rhode Island, is the smallest municipality in the state by population but home to one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects. In 2016, town leaders began working to improve digital access for community anchor institutions. Their vision and leadership ultimately led to the creation of BroadbandBI, Rhode Island’s first municipally owned fiber-to-the-home network, which now connects more than 1,800 properties to the highest internet speeds available in the state.

REGION

Block Island, RI

COMPANY SIZE

Small Municipality

INDUSTRY

Public Sector Broadband

KEY SERVICES

Broadband Consulting

Network Infrastructure

Project Management

KEY TEAM MEMBERS

Jim Rogers

Jason Gay

In A Nutshell

1 The Challenge

It started with a healthcare clinic on Block Island facing risk of closure. New federal EMR requirements exposed the island’s lack of reliable internet, and the clinic didn’t have the bandwidth to comply. ProInfoNet, through NETC, had already been supporting the clinic through the Healthcare Connect Fund and stepped in to help.

The challenge was much bigger than one facility, though. Block Island’s community, New Shoreham, lacked the broadband infrastructure needed to support daily life—from business operations and healthcare access to education and emergency response.

2 The Solution

After working with the clinic to secure reliable internet connectivity, ProInfoNet was asked to do the same for other anchor institutions. The Town of New Shoreham partnered with ProInfoNet’s broadband consulting team, Mission Broadband, to launch a pilot program that used undersea fiber from the Block Island Wind Farm to build a publicly owned privately managed network.

3 The Outcome

The result was BroadbandBI, Rhode Island’s first municipally owned Fiber-to-the-Home network. Today, it connects all 1,800 properties on the island, delivering high-speed internet and VOIP phone services to residents, businesses, and public facilities.

Background

The Town of New Shoreham’s push to improve island connectivity began quietly—with a single healthcare clinic at risk of shutting down. For years, ProInfoNet, through the New England Telehealth Consortium (NETC), had supported the clinic through the Healthcare Connect Fund, helping it secure federal subsidies for basic internet service.

But when a new federal mandate required the clinic to adopt electronic medical records (EMRs), its limited internet access posed a serious challenge. At the time, residents of Block Island had to load Netflix movies 24 hours in advance if they wanted to stream them; EMRs weren’t going to be able to run on those internet speeds.

Worried they would have to close, the clinic approached ProInfoNet to see what could be done. Our team stepped in to negotiate a solution that would keep the clinic connected and open.

Seeing the results, the Town of New Shoreham asked if we could do the same for the island’s other anchor institutions. That request led to a pilot program using undersea fiber from the Block Island Wind Farm to connect community anchor institutions like the school, library, and public safety complex.

What began as a targeted effort to support a single healthcare site ultimately evolved into something much bigger: BroadbandBI, Rhode Island’s first municipally owned network, which now brings high-speed internet not just to anchor institutions but to every resident and business on the island.

Challenges

Lack of Reliable Infrastructure

Before the project began, internet on Block Island was unreliable and, in many areas, virtually nonexistent. With download speeds of 3 Mbps or less, many residents relied on costly satellite plans, dial-up connections, or mobile hotspots—solutions that couldn’t keep up with the increasingly digital world.

Geographic Isolation

As an offshore community, the island faced unique barriers to broadband expansion. There were few ISPs to choose from, construction costs were higher, and the existing undersea link to the mainland had yet to be leveraged to support high-speed connections at scale.

Connectivity for Critical Institutions

From telehealth to education to running a business, the lack of broadband was limiting what life on the island could look like. As New Shoreham Finance Director Amy Lewis Land put it, “Not having reliable, fast residential and business service was a constraint on what people could do on the island and made it less viable as a year-round community.”

Funding and Community Buy-In

Delivering a network that could serve the entire island required substantial funding and community buy-in. Public trust, clear communications, and strong vendor partnerships would be critical moving forward.

Solutions

Laying the Groundwork

When the Town of New Shoreham began exploring how to expand broadband access, they turned to ProInfoNet’s broadband consulting team, Mission Broadband, in early 2018. The team conducted feasibility studies, explored subsidy opportunities through federal programs, and presented network design and funding strategies to the FCC and USAC. This foundational work paved the way for a phased buildout, starting with key community anchor institutions and expanding to full island coverage.

A Transparent, Phased Approach

Public engagement remained a priority throughout the project. Surveys, public forums, and regular updates kept residents informed while helping shape the final design. The Town of New Shoreham selected Sertex Broadband to construct and operate the network, while Crocker Communications was chosen to provide internet and phone services. Mission Broadband served as the project manager and ongoing advisor, overseeing design, construction, and vendor coordination every step of the way.

A Network Built to Last

With 53 miles of fiber optic cable and 62 miles of underground drops, the BroadbandBI network was designed to be both reliable and scalable. The subsea fiber connection to the mainland offers high-speed, symmetrical internet access, with the capacity to support even faster speeds in the future.

Our Multi-Phased Approach

To guide the Town of New Shoreham from feasibility through full implementation, our team executed a carefully phased approach.

Phase 1

January 2018 - February 2018

Feasibility & Funding

Network Design Analysis: Mission Broadband evaluated multiple network design options to determine the most cost-effective approach for expanding broadband access to key facilities.
Funding Strategy Development: Two network designs were paired with detailed funding plans to maximize eligibility for federal subsidy programs such as E-Rate and the Healthcare Connect Fund.
Regulatory Consultation: Findings were presented to the FCC and USAC to clarify application procedures and strengthen the town’s subsidy applications.

Phase 2

February 2018 – June 2019

RFP Development & Vendor Selection

RFP Creation and Issuance: Mission Broadband drafted and released RFPs for the design, construction, and operation of the island’s broadband network.
Vendor Evaluation: Responses were rigorously reviewed based on technical merit, design quality, project management capabilities, and cost efficiency.
Strategic Partner Selection: The most qualified vendors were recommended to the town, laying the foundation for successful network construction and service delivery.

Phase 3

June 2019 – April 2024

Island-Wide FTTP Network Buildout

Community Engagement: Surveys and public forums were conducted to gather feedback and maintain transparency throughout the project.
Infrastructure Mapping and Design: A comprehensive inventory of poles and underground facilities was developed, leading to a detailed FTTP network design.
Vendor Coordination and Network Deployment: Vendors were officially selected, and Mission Broadband stayed on in the role of Operations Oversight to manage the buildout of 53 miles of fiber optic cable, leveraging subsea fiber for scalable, high-speed connectivity.

Phase 1

January 2018 - February 2018

Feasibility & Funding

Network Design Analysis: Mission Broadband evaluated multiple network design options to determine the most cost-effective approach for expanding broadband access to key facilities.
Funding Strategy Development: Two network designs were paired with detailed funding plans to maximize eligibility for federal subsidy programs such as E-Rate and the Healthcare Connect Fund.
Regulatory Consultation: Findings were presented to the FCC and USAC to clarify application procedures and strengthen the town’s subsidy applications.

Phase 2

February 2018 – June 2019

RFP Development & Vendor Selection

RFP Creation and Issuance: Mission Broadband drafted and released RFPs for the design, construction, and operation of the island’s broadband network.
Vendor Evaluation: Responses were rigorously reviewed based on technical merit, design quality, project management capabilities, and cost efficiency.
Strategic Partner Selection: The most qualified vendors were recommended to the town, laying the foundation for successful network construction and service delivery.

Phase 3

June 2019 – April 2024

Island-Wide FTTP Network Buildout

Community Engagement: Surveys and public forums were conducted to gather feedback and maintain transparency throughout the project.
Infrastructure Mapping and Design: A comprehensive inventory of poles and underground facilities was developed, leading to a detailed FTTP network design.
Vendor Coordination and Network Deployment: Vendors were officially selected, and Mission Broadband stayed on in the role of Operations Oversight to manage the buildout of 53 miles of fiber optic cable, leveraging subsea fiber for scalable, high-speed connectivity.

Results

The State’s First Municipally Owned Network

BroadbandBI became Rhode Island’s first municipally owned fiber-to-the-home network—a milestone achievement made possible by public-private collaboration. As Commerce Secretary Elizabeth Tanner noted, it’s been a “game changer for the whole island.”

Reliable Internet for All

With FTTP extended to all 1,800 properties on the island, residents and businesses now have access to fiber-fast internet and VOIP service, with no data caps and town-controlled pricing. Service tiers range from 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps, making modern broadband access available to every household, business, and public facility.

Stronger Critical Infrastructure

Today, Block Island is no longer held back by outdated or nonexistent infrastructure. Businesses can thrive year-round. Students can access online learning. Families can work remotely and connect with loved ones. The network is already strengthening the community and its future. As one town official said, “All of a sudden, we are not lagging behind. It has made the fabric of the community much stronger.”

Rhode Island's First
Municipally Owned Network