OTI defends Big Apple Connect as Council pushes for a new city broadband plan

Councilmember Tierra Gutie9rrez convened the New York City Council's Committee on Technology to examine a package of broadband and digital-equity bills and to hear testimony from the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI). Brett Sykoff, OTI's executive director for broadband and franchise administration, told the committee the Adams administration has prioritized rapid, low-cost connections for residents through Big Apple Connect and a new $2,400,000 digital equity roadmap rather than rebuilding the prior Internet master plan.

The committee heard that Big Apple Connect supplies free in-home broadband and basic cable to roughly 330,000 NYCHA residents and has about an 80% adoption rate, according to OTI testimony. Sykoff said the city's approach leverages existing cable infrastructure and master service agreements with providers to speed access and lower cost: "We evaluated how we could provide the best service to the largest amount of people as quickly as possible, not 5 or 10 years down the road." He added the city has entered 13 information-services franchises in the last year and is exploring other delivery models through a request for information.

Council members and advocates pressed OTI on several gaps. Chair Gutierrez and others asked for a public,…