Mayor Bowser Announces New Initiative to Bring Broadband Internet to DC Residents

Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by Chief Technology Officer Lindsey Parker and broadband provider WeLink to announce the Community Internet Program (CIP), a new initiative that will give Internet Service Providers (ISPs) free access to Washington (DC)-owned building rooftops if they commit to providing high-speed connections (at minimum, 200 Mbps download/200 Mbps upload) at reduced or no cost to households eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Their antennas will also serve as neighborhood hubs that will be able to feed internet to residential properties – all at no cost to DC. WeLink expects to begin installing their neighborhood hubs in Wards 5, 7 and 8, starting in the Trinidad community within the next 30 days. Through this program, WeLink will bring multi-gigabit speed internet at no cost to households who qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. DC residents can learn more about DC’s Community Internet Program here, where individuals can check their internet speed and sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program, and where ISPs can also express interest in the Community Internet Program.