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Q&A
Ongoing negotiations and future plans for Big Apple Connect
1:01:52
·
49 sec
Brett Sikoff discusses the ongoing negotiations with service providers to ensure the long-term continuation of the Big Apple Connect program. Council Member Gutiérrez inquires about the program's future without baseline funding.
- OTI is in active discussions with providers to ensure no loss of service and to keep the program running for a long time.
- There's an expectation that NYCHA residents will have access to Big Apple Connect for an extended period.
- The city continues to secure funding year-to-year until the program can be baselined in the budget.
- OTI hopes to enter into agreements with providers to continue service beyond the current year.
Brett Sikoff
1:01:52
So we're actively in discussions with both providers now to ensure that there's no loss in service and that the program, as CTO Fraser has mentioned, is around for a really long time.
1:02:03
So we're in active discussions with the providers so that rates remain the same.
1:02:08
Maybe there'll be some additional offerings that we'll hopefully be able to announce in near future.
1:02:12
But the expectation is that folks living at NYCHA won't be able to have Big Apple Connect for a really long time.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:02:19
Okay.
1:02:20
And so how are you all meeting that expectation or how are these providers meeting that expectation if there's no baseline funding yet, correct?
Brett Sikoff
1:02:31
Correct.
1:02:31
And we continue to secure funding year to year until that can be baselined.
1:02:35
But we'll be hopefully entering into an agreement with both providers to provide service beyond this year.