Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Julie Martin, Volunteer from New Yorkers 4 Wired Tech
2:53:20
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124 sec
Julie Martin, a volunteer from New Yorkers 4 Wired Tech, testified about the importance of wired technology over wireless and the need to complete fiber optic infrastructure in New York City. She emphasized the historical context of Verizon's incomplete fiber rollout and the resulting digital inequity in certain neighborhoods.
- Highlighted the superiority of wired technology for health, privacy, and speed
- Discussed the partially built-out fiber optic system by Verizon, which primarily became backhaul for their cell phone services
- Called for completion of "last mile" fiber to premises, suggesting smaller local companies could finish the job if Verizon cannot or will not
- Raised questions about the ownership of Verizon's infrastructure built with public utility status
Julie Martin
2:53:20
Have a hello.
2:53:22
Thank you.
2:53:22
Is it working?
2:53:23
Okay.
2:53:23
Thank you for this opportunity to speak today.
2:53:26
I'm my name is Julie Martin.
2:53:27
I'm lifelong New Yorker and have been volunteering for the grassroots group called New Yorkers for Wire Tech.
2:53:33
As the name implies, we believe wired technology is superior to wireless for health, privacy, and for speed.
2:53:39
So I'm appreciative that these bills are trying to bring diverse diversify New Yorkers' options and focusing in on cable franchises as well.
2:53:49
But there is a major asset that has fallen into the memory hole.
2:53:53
In the February in New York, it was Verizon which took up the task of transforming our copper phone lines to fiber optic.
2:54:00
They obtained many concessions and the ability to charge extra fees on their regular phone customers for years in order to do so.
2:54:07
And yet we went what we ended up with is a partially built out system which basically became the backhaul for their private cell phone services.
2:54:16
I need to thank Bruce Kushnik and the regulators, a group of technology and consumer advocates for shining a light on this period of history.
2:54:23
I will admit I was attached to my old copper landline.
2:54:26
It was the only thing that worked during nine eleven and during Sandy while everyone else was huddling around WiFi hotspots, but I was one of the lucky ones who got fiber to the premises, especially lucky as I had heard from other New Yorkers that they were being forced to go directly to wireless.
2:54:43
So this is where the true digital inequity lies.
2:54:46
Those neighborhoods that did not get fiber to the premises but only to the corners are the ones that are not getting proper service today.
2:54:53
And so if we could focus on having that last mile to the premises finished, then I think a lot would be accomplished.
2:54:59
If Verizon cannot do it or will not do it, then let a smaller local company finish the job.
2:55:05
I think this is one of important and meaningful task before our tech officials today.
2:55:10
And there is still that question of the infrastructure that Verizon did build out.
2:55:14
Since it was built with title two public utility status, does it not belong to the public?
2:55:19
I hope that these bills, especially one one two two can get to the bottom of that.
2:55:23
Thank you.