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Q&A
Internet network pilot program and state funding
1:46:24
·
174 sec
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez inquires about the Internet network pilot program mentioned in the digital equity roadmap, particularly its funding source and the city's involvement. Matthew C. Fraser provides clarity on the program's structure and funding.
- The program is a New York State-funded initiative, with an RFP that a nonprofit provider (Flume) applied to.
- The city provides the vision and execution for the program, while the state provides the funding.
- The pilot program, run through HPD, aims to construct a wireless network providing free Internet access to households receiving Section 8 assistance in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan.
- OTI works closely with HPD on the deployment of technology, setting the strategy and validating the provider selection process.
- The $2.4 million in capital mentioned in the city's roadmap does not include the state funding for this particular program.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:46:24
Okay.
1:46:26
Okay.
1:46:36
In the the the same road map, it mentions there's an Internet network pilot, which is an is a New York State funded program with a state RFP that a nonprofit provider applied to.
1:46:53
Can you share if the funds that you are including in the budget for this roadmap, does that include the money that's coming from the state that was already allocated to this nonprofit as part of their own digital equity plan?
Matthew C. Fraser
1:47:08
Yeah.
1:47:08
So it's a consolidation of a need of initiatives that are run throughout the city.
1:47:13
This one in particular is being run through HPD which launched a pilot program to construct a wireless a wireless network to scope to provide free Internet access to households receiving section eight assistance in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:47:29
Okay.
1:47:29
But that's but is that can you confirm if that's a New York State funded program?
1:47:32
That's not a program that the city is funding?
Matthew C. Fraser
1:47:34
That's a New York State funded program.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:47:35
Okay.
1:47:35
Yeah.
1:47:36
So okay.
1:47:36
The New York State funded program is part was part of this particular project which is the provider is Flume.
1:47:42
Correct?
Matthew C. Fraser
1:47:43
Flume.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:47:43
Flume.
1:47:44
So that particular project that you are including in the city's road map is the state?
Matthew C. Fraser
1:47:51
No.
1:47:51
So the state provides the funding.
1:47:52
The city provides the vision and execution.
1:47:55
So the money may come from a state level, it's still part of the city's overall initiative towards how we're bridging the digital equity divide.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:48:03
Okay.
1:48:03
And were you all was OTI involved in the designation of the Internet provider, Flume?
Matthew C. Fraser
1:48:11
Yeah.
1:48:11
So we work very closely with the HPD in this space.
1:48:15
Whether whenever it comes to deployment of technology, even if it's the deployment of technology out to the public, it's an area where we connect directly with the agencies, especially thing that's things that are as visible as this to ensure that we're making sound decisions across the board.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:48:31
Okay.
1:48:31
So OTI was you were you were able to weigh in on whether or not which which provider would be designated?
Matthew C. Fraser
1:48:38
We we set the strategy and we let the agency evaluate the criteria to determine which provider and we just validate that it was done in a sound meaningful manner.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:48:49
Okay.
1:48:50
And the funding that you are including in the investment, is I think it's, like, 214,000,000, does that include those state dollars for this particular program?
Matthew C. Fraser
1:48:58
The 240
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:49:00
just make sure.
1:49:00
I'm so sorry.
1:49:01
Let me just make sure that's the amount that you all had in your media release.
1:49:08
2 point yeah.
1:49:09
2.4, excuse me.
1:49:10
2,400,000.0 in capital.
Matthew C. Fraser
1:49:12
That that 2,400,000.0 that that that's that's not included.
1:49:16
The state funders are not included
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:49:17
in that.
1:49:17
That's separate.
Matthew C. Fraser
1:49:18
That's
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:49:18
all.