The Y-Zone: A Digital Opportunity Zone Offering Free Internet Access
October 6, 2021
Located along the Hudson River, Yonkers is the gateway between New York City and the Hudson Valley. Through Project OVERCOME, the leaders of the digital opportunity zone known as Yonkers Zone, or Y-Zone, will provide free Internet access to approximately 250-350 households in downtown Yonkers using spectrum in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) frequency band. The team is comprised of leaders from the Westchester County Association, City of Yonkers, STEM Alliance, Yonkers Partnership in Education (YPIE), Fordham University and Westhab. Three core principles guide the Yonkers team:
- Establishing a digital equity ecosystem driven by a coalition of committed local stakeholders that includes residents and youth;
- Achieving widespread adoption through community engagement;
- Advancing digital fluency by providing device ownership and tech education with connectivity.
The Y-Zone: A Digital Opportunity Zone Offering Free Internet Access