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Q&A
Current status and plans for Big Apple Connect expansion
0:53:17
·
174 sec
Council Member Gutiérrez presses for specific information on plans to expand Big Apple Connect beyond its current scope. Brett Sikoff from OTI provides clarification on the current status and future plans.
- Sikoff confirms there are no immediate plans to expand Big Apple Connect.
- OTI is working on identifying areas that could benefit from additional services in the future.
- The conversation touches on state initiatives for affordable broadband and city collaboration with the state's Connect All office.
- Gutiérrez inquires about potential announcements for broadband coverage of other populations, such as Section 8 housing.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:53:17
We can definitely talk about it, but I think my questions are more focused just because I've heard different things.
0:53:25
Not different things, but I've heard the intent to expand to expand for many years.
0:53:31
And so I just need to know that that is not what is happening right now.
0:53:37
The the digital road map is something separate and we we will ask questions, but with regards to expansion of connectivity to individual households is what I'm I'm really trying to hone in on right now.
0:53:52
So at this point, you know, again it was you're looking to baseline it, of course, but at this point there is no commitment.
0:54:03
You can't make a commitment or to expand beyond where you are at right now.
Brett Sikoff
0:54:08
I think that's fair to say.
0:54:10
I'll say yes to that.
0:54:11
But what I would say is again, part of the roadmap is new initiatives starting with the chief digital equity officer, which we hope will engage additional communities and stakeholders in the space to identify where there may be a need for additional service so that we can make a targeted, logical decision as to where additional city resources can and should go in the future.
0:54:33
So sitting here today, no immediate plans to expand Big Apple Connect, but that there are efforts underway to identify those areas of the city that can benefit from additional services and to see where we can strategically deploy those.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:54:46
Okay.
0:54:46
But beyond I'm speaking just specifically about connecting residents to a free or affordable Internet program.
0:54:57
It's Big Apple Connect.
0:54:58
It's what exists right now in Big Apple Connect.
Brett Sikoff
0:55:00
In terms of city initiatives, but not to attach this, but there's the affordable broadband act that the state recently passed, provides low cost broadband.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:55:11
But that's the state.
Brett Sikoff
0:55:12
But but that's an area that the city is working with the Connect All office to get outreach out to the communities that can benefit from.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:55:18
How how often are you in communication with the state for this Pretty
Brett Sikoff
0:55:22
pretty frequently.
0:55:24
I I don't know if there's a schedule, like a specific cadence, but we do engage with them very often.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:55:31
Okay.
0:55:35
I think my last question about this is at the the hearing just last month, CTO Fraser said that there would be some announcements covering other large parts of the population including section eight.
0:55:48
Do you have any details on that?
Brett Sikoff
0:55:51
If commissioner Wright can discuss a little bit some of the initiatives in the broadband road map excuse me, the digital equity road map that outlines that section eight Okay.
0:56:00
Initiative that you referred to and many others.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:56:02
Okay.
0:56:03
We'll hold so okay.
0:56:04
So we'll hold off then.
0:56:04
So the so just kind of what's in the road map is what you're gonna
Brett Sikoff
0:56:10
Correct.