Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $15.5 million in new funding to expand mobile service and broadband infrastructure across New York State. The awards include $5.2 million for four projects aimed at increasing mobile coverage in Nassau, Otsego, Schenectady, and Warren counties. In addition, more than $10 million will be distributed through the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program and Affordable Housing Connectivity Program.
“Reliable mobile service is vital to New York’s economy and critical to driving innovation, jobs and opportunity statewide,” Governor Hochul said. “These new awards and innovative RFAs, combined with our groundbreaking wireless drive testing, will ensure every New Yorker — no matter where they live — has access to the connectivity they need to learn, work and thrive.”
Senator Charles Schumer emphasized the importance of internet access as a basic utility: “Access to high-speed internet is not a luxury, but a necessity, a utility as vital as electricity for everyday life. I’m proud to deliver millions in federal funding to help close the digital divide for hundreds of families from Allegany County to Lake George. When I led the American Rescue Plan to passage, I made sure there was funding for long-term investments like this that would create good-paying jobs helping build the 21st-century infrastructure needed to make high-speed internet reach every corner of the state. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work putting these federal dollars to work to ensure all New Yorkers have access to the internet that they need.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand added: “From helping students learn to connecting small businesses with the digital economy, mobile service and broadband is a fundamental necessity and a driver of growth. These new awards will help ensure every community across our state has the reliable connectivity they deserve — and in Washington, I will keep fighting to deliver the funding necessary to expand broadband to every New Yorker.”
Empire State Development President Hope Knight noted: “From rural Otsego County to downtown Schenectady, ConnectALL is advancing creative, community-driven projects that address both immediate connectivity gaps and long-term infrastructure needs. These investments reflect our commitment to ensuring mobile service and broadband access for all New Yorkers, while building the innovative models that will drive equity and competitiveness across New York tomorrow.”
The announcement follows Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State directive for improved mobile signal coverage data collection statewide. ConnectALL has started testing mobile signals along major travel corridors in partnership with regional planning boards in areas such as North Country and plans approximately 20,000 miles of signal testing by late 2025.
The four projects funded under ConnectALL’s Connectivity Innovation Program include:
– Butternuts Neutral Host Mobile Tower Pilot Project (Otsego County): Deploys neutral-host equipment on a county-owned tower.
– Lake George and Glens Falls Open Access Mobile Expansion (Warren County): Installs 139 community-owned nodes.
– City of Schenectady Mobile Service Project (Schenectady County): Establishes city-wide open access Wi-Fi.
– Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf Connectivity Project (Nassau County): Builds a multi-technology distributed antenna system.
Additionally, two new broadband infrastructure grants were awarded under programs funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury: one providing fiber-based network services in affordable housing properties in Greater Binghamton (Broome County), another supporting an 85-mile fiber optic backbone project in Allegany County targeting unserved homes and businesses.
ConnectALL also launched three new Requests for Applications (RFAs) focusing on fiber optic deployment solutions; business models prioritizing ownership or connectivity in low-income or rural communities; and assistance for local governments planning broadband initiatives. Application details are available at http://broadband.ny.gov.
State Senator Lea Webb said: “I’m proud to see Broome County receive this critical investment through the Affordable Housing Connectivity Program. Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for education, employment, and access to essential services. This funding will help ensure that families in Greater Binghamton’s affordable housing communities aren’t left behind in the digital age.”
State Senator Kristin Gonzalez stated: “I want to thank the Governor for her leadership and dedication to closing the digital divide all across our state. Access to reliable internet and mobile services is necessary for education, work, and civic participation. I am especially proud and encouraged by our state’s investment in infrastructure and community-driven models that center equity, affordability, and long-term public benefit.”
Assemblymember Charles Lavine remarked: “I experienced first-hand during a site visit the kinds of communications challenges students and staff at Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf are dealing with, and I am grateful to Governor Hochul for this investment… I applaud the ConnectALL initiative…”
Assemblymember Steve Otis highlighted ongoing efforts: “These announcements highlight New York’s continued leadership in supporting individualized solutions… Only by implementing innovative projects will we be able to close the broadband gaps that exist…”
Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara added: “Reliable broadband and mobile service are no longer optional — they are essential… By strengthening digital inclusion we are creating more opportunity…”
Expanding digital infrastructure remains central within Governor Hochul’s administration through ConnectALL—a program investing over $1 billion into transforming state networks so all residents can access reliable high-speed internet regardless of location or income level.
Programs supported by ConnectALL include municipal open-access network construction backed by over $285 million from federal sources such as American Rescue Plan funds; digital equity initiatives aiming at skills development; targeted support bringing broadband into affordable housing using federal Capital Projects Fund resources; competitive grants encouraging private sector involvement; creation of statewide public networks like Excelsior Broadband Network; continued drive-testing campaigns identifying underserved areas; as well as technical assistance offerings via newly announced RFAs.
