In today’s economy, broadband is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. Like electricity and telephone service a century ago, broadband represents a critical foundation for economic growth, job creation and a better way of life. Across industries, broadband is redefining how we provide education and healthcare, manage energy, ensure public safety and how we store, access and share information.
 

Access to broadband is a necessity for the continued economic success of New York State. Yet, despite their urgent need for broadband, approximately 2.5 million Housing Units in New York State have either limited or no access to high-speed Internet, creating a digital divide between those communities with the ability to participate in the global economy, and those communities without such access.
 

Serving as the state’s single point of contact for broadband issues, the NYS Broadband Program Office’s (BPO) mission is to increase economic and social opportunities through universal broadband deployment. By identifying broadband needs, and developing unique solutions, the BPO is helping to close the digital divide that exist in availability rates, accomplishing the Governors goal of broadband for all.