As part of a larger program to increase the number of broadband systems in New York state and open up broadband to lower income people, 15 broadband infrastructure awards have been announced totaling $52.6 million. Included is an award of $929,662 for the company Community Broadband Networks to deploy networks using fiber cables and wireless at public housing properties, affordable housing buildings and other sites in Westchester and Rockland Counties. The company is supposed to offer basic internet service at $10 per month and high speed service at $30 per month for at least 10 years. The state’s announcement did not specify exactly where the service would be installed.
The state said that the $52.6 million in awards will directly connect 6,900 locations across the state in 28 counties. It would include 24,000 total households, businesses, and anchor institutions, with 19,000 of those being affordable housing units. The funds would pay for construction of 234 miles of new fiber infrastructure and 46 new wireless hubs.
“(The) $52 million in awards represents our commitment to connecting communities that need it most,” Gov. Hochul said. “In today’s economy, broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and full participation in modern life.”
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer noted that federal money is involved.
“When I led the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I made sure there was funding for long term investments like this that would create good paying jobs helping build the 21st century infrastructure needed to make high-speed internet reach every corner of the state,” Schumer said.” This will help communities in 28 counties in every corner … from Buffalo and Albany to rural parts of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier.”
“As chair of the Assembly Science and Technology Committee, I know that both houses of the Legislature have been partners in this work,” said Assemblymember Steve Otis who represents the Sound-Shore area of Westchester. “This announcement is especially exciting with the focus on providing access to affordable and public housing complexes that are the types of facilities often left out of high-speed broadband access many take for granted.”
New York state has undertaken what it calls the ConnectALL initiative, through which it says it intends to invest more than $1 billion to modernize the state’s digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.
