C|Net’s article “Can Wi-Fi make it in Manhattan”:1 lays out very clearly the state of affairs in New York City with regards to municipal and affordable broadband. NYCwireless, along with a number of other supporters like “Andrew Rasiej”:2 and “Micah Sifry”:3, have been battling the apathy here regarding affordable broadband, and it feels like we’re finally starting to make progress.
There are plenty of organizations (profit and non-profit alike) in NYC that been helping different constituencies get access to broadband in NYC at affordable rates. But if we want to address the issue for everyone, then the City Government must be involved. And thankfully, City Councilmember Gale Brewer has been both supportive and vocal in her work to address these issues. And there are lots of others in our City government that are as supportive, if not as vocal. Unfortunately, Mayor Bloomberg is completely disconnected and uninterested in addressing the issue.
[1]http://news.com.com/Can+Wi-Fi+make+it+in+Manhattan/2100-7351_3-5992316.html
[2]http://www.personaldemocracy.com/about/#andrew
[3]http://www.personaldemocracy.com/about/#micah
Filed under: Muniwireless, New York City, News, NYCwireless, Policy