Universal broadband: New York City announces search for partners

The Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer in New York City recently released a request for information (RFI) to gather input from industry experts on the city’s plan to provide universal broadband, connecting every resident and business in the city with affordable high-speed internet access. This RFI builds on other local initiatives — like LinkNYC, NYCx, and the Governors Island Connectivity Challenge — for developing models and creating strategies to successfully deploy broadband throughout the city. “These [initiatives] are also citywide broadband solutions, so they’ve been good components to the bigger picture and have served as information and insights into the possibilities for how to accomplish universal broadband,” said Miguel Gamiño, chief technology officer of New York City. “But, the RFI that’s out and our team’s efforts are now focused on accomplishing the macro-goal of delivering broadband for every New Yorker by 2025.” In addition to providing high-speed internet for residents, the plan is intended to create equity in the city’s schools, ensuring that all students have the same opportunities to study and complete homework online.