In his State of the State, the Governor claimed that 98% of residents in New York State had access to broadband. However, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to remote learning and work-at-home has been a particularly difficult move and in some rural areas of the state impossible, due to a lack of reliable access to high-speed broadband. Some businesses, unable to operate virtually and online, have been forced to close their doors. Sadly, the governor has now vetoed legislation I co-sponsored that would have directed the Public Service Commission to review internet services within the state to determine the reality of accessibility, especially in our rural communities. (A.6679-C of 2020).

The reality is, New York State broadband mapping follows the FCC’s practice to map service based on census blocks. A census block is considered served if there is broadband service to one or more locations within the block. This system is especially problematic in rural areas, which have large census blocks that are considered served even if a single neighborhood has broadband service – each census block contains between 240 and 1200 housing units and would be considered covered even if 1 out of 1200 houses is served by broadband.

 Even before the pandemic, access to reliable high-speed internet was absolutely critical for New Yorkers to search for jobs, complete schoolwork or stay in touch with family members. Now, that need has only been highlighted as many doctor’s offices turned to telehealth appointments and schools and workplaces went remote to protect public health. This is the time to ensure every household has reliable broadband. This frustrating delay only means that our rural communities must continue to wait for the Governor to fulfill his longstanding promise to close the gaps in broadband services through the New NY Broadband Program made back in 2015. However, the fact is many rural communities here in upstate New York were simply left out.