New NY Broadband to provide $209.7M in last mile funding

The state’s New NY Broadband program will provide the last mile funding—$209.7 million—to ensure high-speed internet access for all New Yorkers.

In Round III, 43 awarded projects will address unserved territories in eight regions across the state. Round III awards will provide 122,285 homes, businesses and community institutions across the state with access to high-speed Internet, driving in aggregate more than $341.8 million of public/private broadband investment, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office said.

“Access to high-speed internet is critical as New York works to deliver the resources needed for industries to thrive and businesses to remain competitive in the 21st century global economy,” Cuomo said. “This cutting-edge program is advancing our vision to connect communities, empower entrepreneurs and residents, and support advanced technological innovation.”

When the New NY Broadband Program was launched in 2015, 30 percent of New Yorkers, roughly 2.42 million locations, lacked access to broadband. This lack of broadband coverage was most acute in the eight upstate Regional Economic Development Council regions.

Companies in the Finger Lakes and Western New York region that are slated to receive awards include:

• Armstrong Telecommunications Inc.
• Frontier Communications
• Hughes Network Systems LLC
• Windstream New York

In Round III, certain funded projects will also leverage up to $170 million in additional support from the federal Connect America Fund.