Stakeholders discuss broadband access at Binghamton conference

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Local and state leaders recently met in Binghamton for the Second Annual Upstate Rural Broadband Conference to highlight projects underway in the region and to identify funding opportunities to speed up the deployment of high-speed networks in the Southern Tier and Central New York regions.

“Our goal is to make high-speed broadband available for every address, residential or business, in our eight-county region” Southern Tier 8 Regional Board Executive Director Jen Gregory said in a press release. “Our region’s economy depends on the rapid expansion of high-speed fiber networks to move data, increase access, and serve as the backbone to support advanced wireless and cloud-based networks. As data usage increases exponentially each month from streaming, gaming, and remote working, our existing networks are far beyond capacity and are in dire need of upgrading.”

During the conference, speakers from Washington, D.C.; Albany; and around the region shared insights on national policy, digital equity, funding, how to get networks built, and potential partnerships.

ConnectALL at Empire State Development is responsible for administering more than $1 billion in funds for the development of broadband networks throughout the state.

“We are working towards a more connected, equitable, and affordable future in regard to high-speed internet for all New York residents and businesses,” ConnectALL Senior VP Joshua Breitbart said.

Bob Knight, secretary of the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB), spoke at the event, noting several federal programs are offering new guidance to make it easier for subgrantees to apply for funding.

“AAPB is proud to have helped lead the charge with over 300 organizations to get the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to relax its letter of credit requirements, which will enable more subgrantees to receive infrastructure bill funding to build high-speed broadband networks here in New York,” he said.

Knight also noted plans for this month to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, which subsidizes broadband service to 1 million qualifying households in the state.

 The conference also addressed digital equity, with stakeholders discussing how to connect traditionally marginalized groups to high-speed internet, devices, and digital-skills training.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $65 billion in funding to support infrastructure planning, digital-inclusion initiatives, and deployment projects to connect people to technologies, skills, and resources.

“If you have the ability to get on the internet at home, consider not using it for a week,” Kira Crawford, of the Central New York Digital Inclusion Coalition, said. “What would you have to do differently and what couldn’t you do? That is just one perspective of many, including that of providers of services and businesses who rely on digital engagement, that illustrates the problem we have come together at the Upstate Rural Broadband Conference to solve.”

The Upstate Rural Broadband Conference was supported by New York’s ConnectALL and the Southern Tier 8 Regional Board.

As the development district for the Appalachian Regional Commission and U.S. Commerce Economic Development District, Southern Tier 8 Regional Board supports collaborative community and economic-development programs with partners across Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, and Tompkins counties.

Since August 2020, partners have been convening monthly to assess areas of broadband-infrastructure improvements, advocate for policy change, apply for grant opportunities, host the better connection program, and for educational opportunities.