Low-Cost Broadband Internet Coming to Another 10,000 NYCHA Residents

On July 27, Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City’s Chief Technology Officer John Paul Farmer announced a major milestone in the City’s effort to bring new internet connectivity options to NYCHA residents and to create a shift in the local broadband market. As part of New York City’s implementation of the Internet Master Plan for Universal Broadband, the City of New York and NYCHA have executed agreements with a sixth vendor, New York City-based internet service provider Bloc Power, to offer high-speed internet access for up to 10,000 residents in five NYCHA developments in the Bronx.

The developments include Melrose, East 152 Street-Courtlandt Avenue, Forest, Morris I, and Morris II. Access to broadband for residents who sign up will be free for the first year and $15 a month beyond.

“Building a recovery for all of us means giving New Yorkers the tools they need to stay connected, at prices they can afford,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Expanding access for another 10,000 NYCHA residents will make our city fairer and more accessible for generations of New Yorkers, and I’m proud to see the Internet Master Plan deliver for communities who need it the most.”

“As COVID-19 has increased our dependency on Internet access, it has further exposed the inequity of resources available in our Black and Brown neighborhoods” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “Universal broadband is a lifeline for the communities hardest hit by COVID-19, affecting their connections to employment, education and financial tools. This expansion means that more New Yorkers will have access to remote learning, telemedicine, and new opportunities for employment in the 21st century economy.”

Bloc Power is the sixth finalist selected from the City’s Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) issued in partnership with the NYC Economic Development Corporation in June 2020. This effort is part of the Mayor’s commitment to extend broadband to New Yorkers in the hardest-hit communities identified by the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. The first five licensing agreements will increase access for up to 30,000 residents, bringing the total number of residents with increased broadband options due to the RFEI to up to 40,000.

“This announcement is part of the first phase of moving the Internet Master Plan for Universal Broadband from bold vision to New Yorkers’ everyday reality,” said John Paul Farmer, Chief Technology Officer for the City of New York. “Bloc Power will bring affordable internet connectivity to 10,000 residents in the Bronx, illustrating just how powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors can be when they are founded on principles that prioritize what New Yorkers really need: equity, performance, affordability, privacy and choice.”

“The infrastructure of our buildings, public spaces, and common areas is interwoven into the fabric of New York City,” said Eva Trimble, NYCHA’s Executive Vice President for Strategy & Innovation. “It’s significant that we are able to leverage these assets by working with partners like Bloc Power to provide free and reduced-cost internet service options. Expanding opportunities through broadband access is a central part of our mission to support the economic mobility, public health, and public safety of our residents.”

With this RFEI, vendors will provide free or low-cost internet service that residents can sign up for at a cost of no more than $20/month. (In contrast, existing internet service providers currently charge anywhere from $40/month to $110/month for internet service in these neighborhoods.)

“We are excited to support the City’s leadership in closing the digital divide and creating employment opportunities for underserved communities,” said Keith Kinch, General Manager and Co-Founder of Bloc Power. “We are delighted to kick off the installation phase of this project and bring WiFi to hundreds of thousands of families in the South Bronx.”