On the street

Volume One, Issue 32, April 27 - May 3, 2007

On the street

Bringing affordable Internet access to all New Yorkers

By Lawrence Lerner

For many people in Manhattan, Internet access is a reflex—the simplest way to get in touch with someone, or to find a job, apartment or the answer to a question. For others, mainly the elderly, low-income households or small businesses in the outer-boroughs, fast, affordable Net access remains elusive. Recognizing this, New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer set out to close the digital divide by sponsoring legislation to form a citywide Broadband Advisory Committee in 2005. Its singular goal: to bring affordable broadband to all New York City residents, nonprofit organizations and businesses and, in the process, bring the city up to speed with municipalities such as Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago, which have already launched similar initiatives. (To that end, the committee is holding a public meeting in each borough this year to get public input; the first meeting was in the Bronx last month; the next meeting will be held in Brooklyn on May 22 in Borough Hall.)

Brewer’s bid for universal Internet access in New York City is bolstered by research documenting the digital divide and the benefits that accrue from such access. According to a recent report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, only 21 percent of households with an annual income of $30,000 or less had a broadband connection at home last year, while 68 percent of households that earn over $75,000 had one. Another report by the United States Department of Commerce reveals the economic windfall for communities that expand broadband access. Yet another report (actually a survey), this one by the Drum Major Institute, portrays Internet access as a standard-of-living issue; owning a computer with Net access is now central to a middle-class lifestyle, along with things like working full-time and having health insurance.

Meantime, while most businesses in Manhattan have many options for high-speed Internet access, businesses in the other four boroughs and residents all around the city are not so fortunate. “Many of the businesses around the five boroughs have limited options for obtaining broadband and often find it impossible to access a reliable high-speed connection,” according to a briefing paper prepared by Brewer’s committee. “Most residents have only one or two service providers from which to choose, and many are unable to afford the service.”

In 2005, Philadelphia Mayor John Street partnered with Earthlink to launch Wireless Philadelphia, providing the city with a low-cost broadband wireless network. The plan will offer “digital inclusion” rates of $9.95 a month to those whose household income is no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level or those who are already involved in a federal assistance program like Medicaid; regular subscribers will be charged an affordable $21.50 per month, and daily passes will also be available for residents and visitors. The project, which will cost an estimated $10 million, will be completed in late 2007, with Wi-Fi access covering 135 square miles of the city. Free wireless hotspots will also be available in a total of 10 square miles throughout public parks in Philadelphia.

Chelsea Now hit the streets recently to ask area residents about the role the Internet plays in their lives, about the digital divide, and about their desire for universal Internet access through a low-cost citywide network. The responses ranged from Luddite to heavily invested in the democratic promise of computer technology.

Yes, you’re left out of your whole life if you don’t have the Internet! You need it for e-mail, for information. People have given up on seeing their friends in favor of keeping in touch with them on the Internet. I’m a teacher, and so, in a way, I use it for that in that I e-mail out assignments. Of course there’s a difference between having it or not! Give me a break!
— Adele Bahn, 75, teacher, Chelsea

Yes, I do think the Internet is a necessity, but I don’t believe there’s a divide of those who do or don’t have access. The Internet is used everywhere—even children use it. I believe the statistic of the working poor and elderly who have Internet access is higher than I had thought. It’s accessible to most people already, even if it’s just at the library.
— Lyn Feasly, 47,
homemaker, Chelsea

Yes, the Internet is necessary. I use it to do job searches, e-mail, buy stuff on e-bay—I bought something on e-bay just today. There are some jobs you can’t even find without using the Internet. I usually go to the library to use the Internet. You get faster information. Without it, you’d be left behind.
— Rosie Silvio, 55,
“between jobs,” Howard Beach

I’m all for Wi-Fi. I do a lot of drawings for work, which I upload, and so I’m always using the Internet for that. I’ve always had to pay for the Internet, you know. Up until two months ago, I only had dial-up. My concern about a public broadband network would be that they censor content. I know they’d end up censoring content.
— Kevin Campell, 43,
video game designer, Chelsea

What point is there in a public Wi-Fi network? I’m not into the Internet or any of that. I was happy to know how to program my new phone! As far as having a computer, I don’t need it at this stage in my life. I read about them and I understand them, but I don’t want to participate. I suppose though, it would be useful to have easy access for those who do [use the Internet.]
— Lorna Jaffer, 80,
retired teacher, Chelsea

It is something necessary. I use it to go on the Web, check the weather. It’s also helpful for work, to look up plans for building. If you didn’t have it, you’d miss out on a lot. There is a divide between those who have it and those who don’t, because there are things you can only get by going online.
— Ryan Sing, 25,
cabinet builder, Bronx

— with reporting, photos and interviews by Esther MartinI think it is necessary. There’s a lot of info you can’t get without the Internet. You need it for business, to send projects and things, as well as travel—I never go anywhere without looking it up online. I wish they would [put up a Wi-Fi network]. It would really help if there were affordable access.

— Janel Morales, 29, works at Yankee Stadium, Bronx

— with reporting, photos and interviews by Esther Martin