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 Open Government/Innovation: Broadband | ||
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To address the interrelated aspects of the broadband adoption "gap," DoITT leads New York City in implementing several complementary programs:
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| Stimulus Programs A key feature of DoITT's broadband strategy is working to secure stimulus funds for the benefit of New York City residents, businesses and visitors. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the federal government made approximately $4.7 billion available through the Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program(BTOP). In 2010, DoITT secured approximately $42 million—more than any other city or state—of this federal stimulus funding for programs to increase access to affordable broadband service across the City's underserved communities and among low-income public school students in New York City. Specifically, these funds will be applied toward the City's efforts to increase public access to and adoption of broadband technologies through public computer centers, school programs and expansion of Wi-Fi in public places. The funds have been divided among the following programs: NYC Connected Learning ($22 million) will serve more than 18,000 low-income sixth grade students and 40,000 public school household members by providing free computers, discounted broadband service, high-quality digital educational resources and digital literacy training to boost educational outcomes over three academic years. NYC Connected Communities ($14 million) will significantly expand the availability of public computer centers in high poverty areas. Investing in libraries, public housing facilities, senior centers and community centers across the five boroughs, the program will serve 40,000 new users weekly, provide more than 1,000 new work stations and offer an array of new resources for digital literacy, employment support and other critical services. NYC Connected Foundations ($6 million) will provide over-age, under-credited students at 43 of the City's public high schools with access to free computers, broadband subsidies and comprehensive digital literacy training. Through a new, credit-bearing "Connected Foundations" course aimed at facilitating sustainable adoption of broadband, the program will also aid these students in the transition to a post-secondary pathway. | |
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| Private Partnerships DoITT administers telecommunications-related franchises and is responsible for ensuring that New York City's voice, data and video infrastructures are accessible, reliable and competitive, and meet the needs of residents, businesses and government. When establishing cable franchise agreements, DoITT strives to maximize benefits to the public and increase potential revenue to the City. In 2011, DoITT announced a nine-year contract renewal with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision Systems that will result in increased access to free public broadband, expansion of Wi-Fi in public spaces, and enhanced television services in all five boroughs through July, 2020. | |
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| Wi-Fi in Parks
New Yorkers will be able to stay connected with their smartphones, tablets and other Wi-Fi enabled devices as they enjoy everything City parks, big and small, have to offer. AT&T Wi-Fi at City parks is free for all users. | |
In New York City, broadband service is almost universally available - residential coverage stands at virtually 100 percent, and business access is pervasive. In this respect, New York is well ahead of many other American cities. However, as with every other major American city, a digital divide exists in terms of broadband adoption. This divide is especially pronounced with respect to lower-income residents and seniors.
New York City and AT&T have  |
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