New York City Announces Free Municipal Broadband Program for New York City Housing Authority Residents

New York City (NY) will begin the citywide launch of ‘Big Apple Connect’ — a landmark digital equity program that will make free high-speed internet and basic cable TV available to approximately 300,000 New Yorkers living in more than 200 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments by the end of 2023. The program was initially piloted at eight public housing developments across the five boroughs and has been expanded to more than 100 developments — at NYCHA’s Langston Hughes Houses in Brownsville, Brooklyn (NY). The program will provide residents of NYCHA developments a free bundle that consists of an in-home, high-speed internet connection, including a modem and router; basic cable TV service, including a cable box and remote control; and common area Wi-Fi hotspots, selected in consultation with NYCHA. NYCHA residents will not be billed anything for these services.