The NYCHA Journal

The NYCHA Journal has informed and inspired residents since 1970, covering the news, contributions, and uplifting stories of the NYCHA community while providing the latest information on Authority initiatives.

Polo Grouns Wi-Fi
Communities Connected Communities NYCHA Developments Technology Top Story 

Free Wi-Fi for Polo Grounds Residents

Michael

On September 1, NYCHA launched a free Wi-Fi program in the common areas of Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem. Through this new pilot program, NYCHA provides free Wi-Fi access to residents in the courtyards, parks, and other outside areas of the development. The Wi-Fi service is also available in the resident association and property management offices.    

By introducing free Wi-Fi in common areas, NYCHA aims to make educational, economic, employment, health, and other governmental services more accessible to its residents. The Polo Grounds Wi-Fi project also intends to improve NYCHA’s communications with residents and help increase their digital literacy.  

To better understand how its residents access and use the internet, NYCHA customized a “landing page” for the free Wi-Fi at Polo Grounds: Residents using the Wi-Fi will be asked to complete a survey about their online practices. After the three-month pilot period, NYCHA will evaluate the project based on residents’ feedback and internet service quality to develop best practices for future implementation of free Wi-Fi at other NYCHA developments. 

Polo Grounds Towers is one of the first NYCHA developments to get free Wi-Fi in its common areas. If the program at Polo Grounds works well for residents, the Authority will explore how it can bring free Wi-Fi to other NYCHA developments.   

Nearly one-third of all households in New York City do not have a broadband subscription at home. Additionally, more than 1.5 million New Yorkers have neither a mobile connection nor a home broadband connection. The pilot program at Polo Grounds Towers complements a larger effort to help close this digital divide and bring new internet connectivity options to NYCHA residents. In January 2020, the City announced the New York City Internet Master Plan, a first-in-the-nation plan that provides the roadmap to universal broadband in New York City. The City is also entering into agreements with high-speed internet service providers that will bring free or low-cost internet to thousands of NYCHA residents.