Project Description
WHAT IS ConnectAll?
As part of the 2021 national Bipartisan Infrastructure bill, more than $664 million was allocated to New York State as part of the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The newly formed New York State ConnectAll Office (CAO) will use these funds to improve internet access statewide by investing in digital infrastructure, upgrading service to affordable and public housing, and to supporting digital inclusion and education. One of CAO’s initiatives, the ConnectALL Deployment Program, will provide grant funding to for last-mile infrastructure and communications equipment that can deliver broadband services to unserved and underserved locations.
HOW IS PATTERN INVOLVED?
Pattern for Progress was selected by New York to manage the challenge process for the Mid-Hudson region. Our team will educate civic leaders about the ConnectAll program, encourage them to submit challenges for locations that do not have broadband internet service, and improve the accuracy of the maps that determine who is eligible for the federal funds.”
YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED NOW
CAO has developed and published a statewide broadband service map. Only locations that are identified on this map as unserved or underserved will be eligible for Deployment Program grants. In the next few months, New York state residents, local governments, and nonprofit organizations have one last chance to provide comments and challenges to improve the accuracy of the final map. This challenge process ends in mid-April, so don’t delay!
New York State Residents
can provide comments on internet accessibility or quality of service at a given location, upload evidence to support a potential challenge, take and submit the results of a speed test, and submit a free text comment about the quality of their internet service. Submit your public comment.
Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations
can register to become an “Eligible Challenger.” Eligible Challengers will have the ability to submit formal challenges. They can view publicly submitted comments and evidence and incorporate them into official challenges. Register to be an Eligible Challenger.
HELPFUL LINKS
Additional ConnectAll Information