Jumaane Williams Proposes City-Owned Fiber for 500,000 NYC Homes Still Underserved
Updated
Updated · amNY · May 27
Jumaane Williams Proposes City-Owned Fiber for 500,000 NYC Homes Still Underserved
1 articles · Updated · amNY · May 27
A new report from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urges New York City to build a municipal fiber-optic network over more than a decade to deliver affordable high-speed internet citywide.
One-third of households in some low-income neighborhoods either forgo home internet or rely only on mobile access, which Williams says reflects weak oversight, broken ISP promises and too little competition.
The proposal starts with tighter enforcement, audits and investigations of existing providers, citing Verizon’s unmet obligations and Charter’s misreported network expansion after its 2016 merger conditions.
Williams says the city should eventually reactivate unused underground fiber and treat broadband like a utility, opening access to nonprofits and smaller providers; NYC Mesh already offers service at Grand Street Guild for $10 a month.
The push frames internet access as an economic-equity issue in 2026, with Williams arguing Black, Brown and lower-income neighborhoods often pay more for slower service and risk being left further behind.
As private companies race to offer 10Gbps speeds, can a city-built network deliver a better, cheaper internet service for New Yorkers?
NYC's past internet plans have failed. What makes this new proposal for a city-owned network different from previous costly, abandoned projects?
Bridging the Digital Divide: New York City’s Push for Public Broadband and Internet Equity
Overview
On May 27, 2026, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams introduced a bold plan to transform New York City’s internet by ensuring every household has access to affordable, high-speed service. His proposal responds to ongoing failures by major internet providers, who have not met their obligations or have acted deceptively, highlighting the urgent need for a new approach. Williams suggests a staged rollout of city-owned broadband infrastructure, starting with stronger oversight and enforcement of existing providers to hold them accountable. This vision aims to close the digital divide and create a more equitable internet landscape across all five boroughs.