Berkshire Connect Partner Selection Process

The Berkshire Connect partner selection process was conducted from May-December 1999.

The Berkshire Connect Business Plan, released in May, 1999, demonstrated the economic feasibility of building a high capacity, redundant, affordable communications network throughout Berkshire County. When we began working on the plan, Berkshire Connect was prepared to create a new entity to offer services in the county that met the criteria of the plan. However, as Berkshire Connect has gained momentum, service providers began to take a strong interest in providing services in the Berkshires.

Building upon this private sector interest in serving the Berkshires, the Berkshire Connect Steering Committee invited potential partners to propose how they would implement the overall goals of the business plan. This opportunity was given to local, regional, and national service providers that have expressed interest in being involved in Berkshire Connect. They were encouraged to provide their own approach and technologies, provided that their approach was consistent with the goals outlined in the Business Plan.

Berkshire Connect received seven proposals from very reputable providers.  After a thorough review process a preferred provider was selected.