Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Plans for expanding broadband access beyond NYCHA
1:16:01
·
146 sec
Council Member Gutiérrez presses Brett Sikoff on OTI's plans to expand broadband access beyond NYCHA residents, highlighting the needs of other low-income communities. Sikoff reiterates the focus on Big Apple Connect while mentioning potential alternative approaches.
- Gutiérrez emphasizes that similar needs exist for non-NYCHA residents, such as Section 8 voucher holders
- Sikoff maintains that Big Apple Connect is the centerpiece of OTI's plan
- OTI is considering alternative providers and strategic infrastructure expansion where it makes sense
- Sikoff mentions the possibility of leveraging state programs like the Affordable Broadband Act
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:16:01
But there's also but I mean, a % I represent about eight Niger development sites door knocked, totally familiar with with the range of needs.
1:16:11
And again, agree that the program is connecting people, and that's a huge accolade.
1:16:17
But the the same the needs that exist amongst NYCHA residents exist equally not equally, but, like, similarly with other residents, maybe section eight voucher holders, maybe families that are doubled up right now.
1:16:30
So it's I'm I'm just I understand that this program is working, and and you're working to expand it even more to get to that 100%.
1:16:39
But what is OTI's plan to expand beyond the existing target, the existing universe because those are those are also communities in need.
1:16:48
And I'm not trying to be overly critical.
1:16:50
I'm just trying to get you all to share what the plan the plan is and that the Internet master plan, I get it, while, you know, in your testimony you shared this is like from years ago, it's the intent is to live beyond an administration.
1:17:05
It is it the intent is to live beyond a four four year two term mayor, be to live beyond me, beyond you at this agency, and so what is what if you if OTI is saying Internet Master Plan is the OG and we're not rocking with it, what are you rocking with now?
1:17:23
What is the plan to expand actual connectivity in these other areas of need?
Brett Sikoff
1:17:32
Well, again, you're going to hate this, but Big Apple Connect, it should be 330,000 New Yorkers.
1:17:38
Right?
1:17:38
330,000 New Yorkers, one hundred and 50 thousand households, no guarantee that the Internet masturbate.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:17:43
Why would I hate that?
1:17:44
I don't hate that.
1:17:44
Don't put words in my mouth.
Brett Sikoff
1:17:47
Yes.
1:17:47
No, I get it.
1:17:49
But that's the centerpiece of the plan.
1:17:52
It's not the only part of the plan.
1:17:54
As I mentioned, there's a lot of other areas are around it, and that we can look at alternative providers that can provide service like the HPD Pilot, and other areas where we can potentially expand infrastructure where it strategically makes sense.
1:18:09
But a full scale infrastructure deployment that's going to cost upwards of billions of dollars, where there's already a ton of fiber infrastructure already available, didn't seem like a wise use of the city's money, both at the time and today, and that remains true.