New York City officials secure $2m federal funding for free internet
Updated
Updated · SILive.com · May 4
New York City officials secure $2m federal funding for free internet
3 articles · Updated · SILive.com · May 4
The money will extend free high-speed service to more than 2,000 affordable-housing apartments in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan, bringing total coverage there to over 4,000 units.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the programme builds on a $3.25m Housing Preservation and Development effort, while Representative Ritchie Torres helped secure the latest Section 8 funding.
Officials said some targeted neighbourhoods have internet disconnection rates above 40%, and one in five Bronx residents lacks access, as the city expands wider digital-inclusion efforts across all five boroughs.
With free internet for 4,000 homes, what happens when the initial funding for this city-run network inevitably runs dry?
New York City is building its own internet network. Is this a wise investment or a waste of taxpayer money?
Will giving New Yorkers free internet solve the digital divide if they lack computers or the skills to use them?
$2 Million Federal Grant Expands Free High-Speed Internet to 22.4% Bronx Households Without Home Access
Overview
In May 2026, New York City secured a $2 million federal grant to expand the Neighborhood Internet program, providing free high-speed broadband to low-income residents in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. This funding responds to a severe digital crisis worsened by the 2024 expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which had helped nearly half of Bronx households afford internet. The program targets affordable housing residents and includes multilingual, in-person tech support to bridge digital skills gaps. While expected to improve education, employment, and economic stability, concerns remain about device access and long-term funding beyond 2029. This initiative serves as a pilot toward making free internet a public utility citywide.