Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $5.2 million in new awards for four projects aimed at expanding mobile service in Nassau, Otsego, Schenectady, and Warren counties. Additionally, more than $10 million will be allocated through the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program and Affordable Housing Connectivity Program to support broadband infrastructure development.
These initiatives are part of New York’s broader efforts to ensure universal access to reliable mobile and broadband services across the state. The new funding will include grants for Allegany and Broome counties that are expected to provide broadband connections to over 800 households.
ConnectALL is also launching three new funding opportunities designed to encourage innovative business models, advanced fiber deployment strategies, and enhanced local planning efforts for broadband expansion.
Statewide mobile service coverage tests have begun, focusing on mapping coverage gaps along major roads and corridors. These tests are currently underway in the North Country region in partnership with the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board, with a particular focus on travel routes within the Adirondack and Catskill regions.
Governor Hochul stated, “Reliable mobile service is vital to New York’s economy and critical to driving innovation, jobs and opportunity statewide. These new awards and innovative RFAs, combined with our groundbreaking wireless drive testing, will ensure every New Yorker — no matter where they live — has access to the connectivity they need to learn, work and thrive.”
Senator Charles Schumer commented on federal involvement: “Access to high-speed internet is not a luxury, but a necessity, a utility as vital as electricity for everyday life. I’m proud to deliver millions in federal funding to help close the digital divide for hundreds of families from Allegany County to Lake George. When I led the American Rescue Plan to passage, I made sure there was funding for long-term investments like this that would create good-paying jobs helping build the 21st-century infrastructure needed to make high-speed internet reach every corner of the state. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work putting these federal dollars to work to ensure all New Yorkers have access to the internet that they need.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand added: “From helping students learn to connecting small businesses with the digital economy, mobile service and broadband is a fundamental necessity and a driver of growth. These new awards will help ensure every community across our state has the reliable connectivity they deserve — and in Washington, I will keep fighting to deliver the funding necessary to expand broadband to every New Yorker.”
Hope Knight, President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development said: “From rural Otsego County to downtown Schenectady, ConnectALL is advancing creative, community-driven projects that address both immediate connectivity gaps and long-term infrastructure needs. These investments reflect our commitment to ensuring mobile service and broadband access for all New Yorkers, while building the innovative models that will drive equity and competitiveness across New York tomorrow.”
The actions align with directives from Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State initiative which called for improved data collection on signal coverage as well as regional planning processes targeting better connectivity throughout underserved areas.
