Empire State Development Announces FCC Authorization of Over $55.4 Million in Federal Funding for Rural Broadband in New York

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the authorization of more than $55.4 million in federal broadband support across two waves of funding from the FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF).  This funding, which matches previously announced New NY Broadband Program Round III awards to eight providers, will support the deployment of fiber-based broadband access to over 23,000 unserved homes and businesses across all eight Upstate Regions.

Today’s FCC authorization – approximately $16.2 million in federal funding addressing 8,088 locations – represents the second wave of CAF funding pursuant to the FCC’s landmark partnership with New York State, which was the result of efforts by Governor Cuomo, Empire State Development, and New York State’s Congressional representatives.  It follows the FCC’s July 15th authorization of over $39.2 million addressing 15,442 locations. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “This vital federal funding will bring the benefits of high-speed Internet to small businesses, schools and families throughout underserved areas of Upstate New York.”

“Our partnership with New York is continuing to connect unserved rural areas of Upstate New York,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Closing the digital divide is the FCC’s top priority, and I’m proud that this partnership will help bring the opportunities that high-speed Internet offers Upstate.”

“The Broadband Program Office’s partnership with the FCC for the innovative joint CAF auction represents a first of its kind federal and state collaboration to expand broadband access.  Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the effort, and we thank the FCC for their partnership on this recent authorization, which will bring both federal and state funding to deploy broadband to over 23,000 previously announced locations across the State.” said Jeffrey Nordhaus, Empire State Development, Executive Vice President of Innovation and Broadband.

The New York federal funding applications authorized are as follows:

• Armstrong Telecommunications Inc. will receive $12.8 million over the next decade to expand broadband to 6,709 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps
• DTC Cable Inc. will receive $2.1 million over the next decade to expand broadband to 712 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps

• GTEL Teleconnections will receive $854,652 over the next decade to expand broadband to 260 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps 
• Haefele TV Inc. will receive nearly $1.3 million over the next decade to expand broadband to 667 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps

• MTC Cable will receive nearly $4.3 million over the next decade to expand broadband to 1,659 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps
• Otsego Electric Cooperative will receive nearly $4.3 million over the next decade to expand broadband to 1,146 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps
• SLIC Network Solutions will receive nearly $11.3 million over the next decade to expand broadband to 4,610 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps
• Verizon Communications will receive $18.5 million over the next decade to expand broadband to 7,767 rural homes and businesses at downstream speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second and upstream speeds of 20 Mbps

Below is deployment by county, provider, and number of homes and businesses served (locations):

More information about the Connect America Fund is available at https://www.fcc.gov/general/connect-america-fund-caf.  

More information about the New NY Broadband Program and the Program’s Round III awards is available at nysbroadband.ny.gov and https://nysbroadband.ny.gov/new-ny-broadband-program/phase-3-awards.  

Contact:
Adam Kilduff | [email protected] | (212) 803-3744
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313