NYC Mayor Escalates Efforts to Close Digital Divide and Drive Down Cost of Internet for New Yorkers

The Administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-New York City) -- led by Counsel to the Mayor Maya Wiley, Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco, and Commissioner of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (“DoITT”) Anne Roest -- announced a series of significant steps aimed at expanding universal access to the Internet and driving down the cost of broadband across all five New York city boroughs. These landmark initiatives build on the Mayor’s ongoing commitment to provide affordable broadband for all New Yorkers.

The open Call for Innovations (“CFI”) is a first-of-its kind endeavor by the City to generate new approaches for reaching underserved communities. The Broadband Taskforce will work with the Administration to review ideas emerging from the CFI and explore how to connect them to larger broadband strategies. The Administration also announced appointments to two newly-created high-level positions focused on broadband and telecommunications. “The digital divide creates a fundamental difference between those who have access to economic and educational opportunities and those who do not,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Ensuring that all New Yorkers have affordable, high-speed Internet access is a top priority for this administration and a key strategy in our agenda to fight inequality. We are committed to using every tool we have to meet this goal.”