More details emerge on NYC free internet pilot

Some low-income households in New York City will receive free broadband internet under a plan announced by Mayor Eric Adams (D-NY) during his State of the City address. Households with Section 8 vouchers in the Bronx and northern Manhattan boroughs of the city will be part of a pilot program that gives them access to free broadband. Pilot participants will be provided with access through the creation of a wireless mesh network. The pilot will target buildings that have a high percentage of Section 8 voucher holders, retrofitting them with internal broadband cabling and rooftop antennae to get them connected. Around 650 households will have the option to automatically receive free internet service from this pilot. The new program is in addition to one announced in the fall known as Big Apple Connect. It looks to give 300,000 residents in more than 200 developments owned by the New York City Housing Authority broadband access by providing them with a cable box, modem, and router, as well as Wi-Fi in the common areas of NYCHA buildings.