Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans for approximately $391 million in proposed awards under the ConnectALL Deployment Program, aimed at expanding broadband access across New York State. The initiative involves 11 internet service providers who have pledged over $245 million in matching funds to help address nearly 54,000 locations that currently lack adequate internet service.
The proposed projects are intended to reach every documented unserved and underserved location in the state. Public comments on the planned awards can be submitted through the ConnectALL Deployment Program website until September 24. A webinar is scheduled for September 18 to explain the draft Final Proposal and guide residents on how to submit feedback.
“In this day and age, internet access is no longer just a luxury — it is a necessity to connect individuals to everyday essentials from education to healthcare,” Governor Hochul said. “Every community in New York State deserves to have access to the internet and it is time we uplift our underserved communities, providing them with more opportunities and resources.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight added, “Closing the digital divide means opening doors for families, businesses, and entire communities. With the BEAD program, we will reach the final one percent of unserved households and ensure they are not left behind. Empire State Development is proud to advance Governor Hochul’s vision through the ConnectALL initiative and to partner with NTIA in bringing this historic investment to every corner of New York.”
Projects funded by these awards will deliver fiber optic infrastructure to about 31 percent of eligible locations, fixed wireless service to roughly 44 percent, and reserve satellite capacity for the remaining 25 percent. Payments for satellite service will be based on subscription milestones.
ConnectALL has published additional details about award distribution by county on its website. Grantees were selected through an open application process using criteria set by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The federal awards are pending NTIA approval; those involving tribal lands also require approval from respective tribal governments.
Funding comes from $664.6 million allocated by Congress as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law via the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program in 2023. Any remaining funds may be used for other broadband-related initiatives such as adoption programs or reduced-cost services in multi-family housing.
The awarded amounts range from $360,000 up to over $121 million per provider, covering counties throughout New York including both rural areas and tribal reservations.
Senator Charles Schumer commented: “Today, we take a massive step forward in closing the digital divide in New York. I am proud to deliver hundreds of millions in federal funding from our Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to connect thousands of homes and small businesses from Putnam to Plattsburgh to reliable, fast internet access. This is a once-in-a-generation federal investment to build the 21st century infrastructure needed to connect families and communities to education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and each other. When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, I insisted on including funding for long-term investments like this that would create good-paying jobs in every corner of the Empire State. Now, that vision is becoming a reality, and many thousands of New Yorkers will access reliable high-speed internet no matter their zip code.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated: “High-speed internet is a necessity, not a luxury. I fought to secure this funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law so that every New Yorker, no matter their zip code, has access to reliable, affordable broadband. These investments will help close the digital divide and open new doors of opportunity across our state.”
Representative Paul Tonko said: “Broadband internet access isn’t just a convenience — it’s an essential resource for families and businesses here in our Capital Region and across our state. That’s why I’ve led the charge in Congress to expand broadband here in New York and nationwide. By helping to connect underserved communities to this critical infrastructure, these investments will help make certain that all New Yorkers can stay better connected to their jobs, their schools, their health care, and much more. I’m proud to join Governor Hochul in celebrating today’s announcement, and I look forward to continuing to work together toward our shared goal of universal internet access across New York State.”
Representative Grace Meng said: “Internet access is vital, and all New Yorkers, regardless of the communities they reside in, deserve equal access to it. In Congress, I’m proud to have helped secure billions of dollars to increase internet access in our state and across the nation so that more people are able to get online. Universal access in New York is essential to closing the digital divide, and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued leadership in this area.”
Representative Joe Morelle added: “In today’s world, internet access is an essential resource for our families — it’s how they connect with doctors, loved ones, teachers,and more.I’m gratefulto Governor Hochulfor proposingthis much-neededinvestmentto give familiesthe supportthey deserveand helpclose t he digitaldivideinNewYorkState.”
Representative Ritchie Torres stated: “Too many families inthe Bronxare stilllefton therong sideof t he digitaldivide.Expandingbroadbandwill givestudentsthe toolsto learn , workersthe chanceto compete,and seniorsthe abilityto stayconnectedtocareandcommunity.IamgratefultoGovernorHochulformakingsuretheBronxisfrontandcenterinthisefforttodeliverreliable , affordableinternettoeveryhouseholdinNewYork.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said: “NewYork’sConnectALLinitiativehasaccomplishedsomuchintheefforttobringbroadbandaccesstoeverysingleNewYorker,andthisnewfundingwillgoalongwayinbridgingthedigitaldivideinourstate’sunderservedcommunities.IwanttothanktheGovernorforprioritizingbroadbandinfrastructure,andIlookforwardtoworkingwithherandthevariousstateagenciestoaddressmoretechnologicalgapsacrossthestate.”
Assemblymember Steve Otis commented: “ThislatestannouncementofConnectALLfundingawardsamplifiesNewYork’ssuccessfulpolicyofusinglocallycraftedsolutionstofillbroadbandaccessgaps.Deploymentoffiberoptictechnologytohard-to-reachareasisvitaltoeconomicgrowthandtprovidingfullaccesstoallNewYorkersandbusinesses.OurConnectALLoffice,aunitofEmpireStateDevelopment(ESD),hasbeenanationalleaderinfillingbroadbandgapsusingarangeofinnovativeprogramstoaddressbroadbandaccesschallenges.OursuccessreflectsthecommitmentofGovernorKathyHochul,bothhousesoftheLegislature , ESDPresidentandCommissionerHopeKnight,andConnectALLSeniorVPJoshBreitbart.”
Expanding broadband has been identified as a key focus under Governor Hochul’s administration as part of efforts toward equity statewide.AccordingtoFederalCommunicationsCommissiondata,millionsofAmericanslackaccessreliablehigh-speedinternet, especially those livinginruralareasorlow-incomecommunities.NewYorkisworkingthroughinitiativessuchastheMunicipalInfrastructureProgram,theDigitalEquityProgram,theAffordableHousingConnectivityProgram,theConnectivityInnovationProgram,andtheExcelsiorBroadbandNetworktoexpandinternetcoverage.Thesemeasuresincludeinvestmentsintomunicipalbroadbandnetworks,digitalequitytraining,infrastructureinaffordablehousing,newfiberlinesalongmajortransportationroutes,andexpansionofcellularcoverageplans.
