Broadband access bill becomes New York law

The Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act, originally co-sponsored in the New York state Assembly by Mike Norris (R-Lockport), tasks the state Public Service Commission to study the availability, reliability and cost of broadband services. The Public Service Commission is tasked with: identifying barriers to the delivery of internet at a census block level, which is the smallest geographical census unit; problem solving for underserved areas with available technology; and identifying providers' noncompliance with franchise agreements where local governments have complained to the commission. The act also calls for the creation of an internet access map to show the places in New York state where insufficient access is causing a “digital divide.” The map would include information about downloading and uploading speeds and consistency, the number of internet providers, their price and what technologies they have available: dial-up, broadband, wireless, fiber optics, coaxial cable or satellite. A full report is due one year after the effective date of the act and it is to include the number of residences with or without internet access, a regional survey of internet service prices in comparison to county-level median income, and consumer subscription statistics. There will also be at least one public hearing in an upstate region and one hearing downstate within a year of the act becoming effective.