NYC expands program that will bring free internet and cable to more than 300,000 New Yorkers

NEW YORK – New York City is growing nearly 50% “Big Apple Connect,” the nation’s largest municipal broadband program that provides free basic Internet and cable TV service to thousands of residents from NYCHA. .

“Big Apple Connect,” or Big Apple Connected, offers NYCHA residents a free plan consisting of high-speed Internet connection at home, basic cable television service, and Wi-Fi hotspots in common areas, selected in consultation with NYCHA.

The program provides broadband service to 202 NYCHA developments, reaching nearly 300,000 New Yorkers. However, with the announced expansion, an additional 67 NYCHA developments will be served, reaching an additional 40,000 homes.

“Six months ago, I promised we would close the digital divide for NYCHA residents, and today I’m proud to deliver on that commitment ahead of schedule,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “With this expansion of ‘Big Apple Connect,’ the nation’s largest municipal broadband program to more than 200 NYCHA developments, more than 300,000 New Yorkers now have free access to cable television and the Internet. The internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, and today we’re proud to connect hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers with opportunity and the future.”

The city has entered into three-year agreements with Altice (Optimum) and Charter (Spectrum), which will collectively cover most developments owned and managed by NYCHA.

Existing Optimum and Spectrum customers at NYCHA developments where “Big Apple Connect” is active will be automatically enrolled in the program and will only be charged for the additional services they choose to purchase directly.

Adams launched “Big Apple Connect” last fall and promised to install the services in more than 200 NYCHA developments by the end of 2023.