Queens Gigabit Center is a part of LinkNYC and OTI partnership to bridge the digital divide for those with the most need
Currently, two-in-five New York City households lack either a home broadband connection or mobile broadband through cell service
Amongst NYC seniors, 42% lack broadband internet access at home
JAMAICA, QUEENS—Today, LinkNYC joined with NYC Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI) Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and ZenFi Networks to officially open the Queens Gigabit Center at the Allen Senior Center. The Gigabit Center is the first-of-its-kind community resource in Queens that will provide free high-speed Internet, access to computers, technology training, and other services — all powered by LinkNYC’s free public Wi-Fi network. The Gigabit Center will also provide digital literacy training and free access to laptops, tablets, workstations, and other services to help bridge the digital divide. LinkNYC opened similar Gigabit Centers in Manhattan and the Bronx earlier this year and additional centers are planned for Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Currently, two-in-five New York City households lack either a home broadband connection or mobile broadband through cell service, and 1.8 million households lack both. In Queens alone, 22 percent of households do not have any home broadband connection. Amongst NYC seniors, 42% lack broadband internet access at home. The Gigabit Center will help bridge this digital divide, working in conjunction with the citywide network of LinkNYC kiosks, which has provided more than 12 million New Yorkers and visitors with free high-speed Wi-Fi since 2016. In addition, LinkNYC will provide quarterly technology training at the Queens Gigabit center during its first year of operation to maximize its impact.
“In Queens and across the city, millions of New Yorkers still find it too hard or expensive to get online, which is simply unacceptable in 2022,” said Nick Colvin, CEO of LinkNYC. “Our Gigabit Centers across New York City will play a vital role in connecting New Yorkers with broadband connectivity and the digital literacy they need to thrive in our online society. The opening of the Queens Gigabit Center marks another important milestone in our efforts to bring digital connectivity to New Yorkers across the five boroughs, and we are excited to bring this important resource to Queens residents.”
“Older New Yorkers suffered avoidable social, healthcare, and economic hardships during the pandemic due to our city’s Digital Divide,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. “With one-fifth of our city’s residents over 60, this administration’s digital equity efforts by necessity have a strong focus on enhancing the lives of this important population. This new Gigabit Center will serve as a vital hub for increasing access to free high-speed internet, computers, and digital literacy training. I thank Mayor Adams for his unparalleled commitment to leveraging technology to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers and our partners at CityBridge and the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center for their tireless efforts to deliver empowering opportunities to Queens.”
“The opening of the Gigabit Center in six months showcases the power of investment in digital infrastructure. The underlying fiber network we built to support the Link5G kiosk program was leveraged to reach the Allen Senior Center and expand outdoor public WiFi indoors. More than ever, we need to work with community leaders to leverage shared infrastructure solutions for the greater good. We at ZenFi are thrilled to continue our mission of building connected infrastructure to enable smart communities” said Robert Sokota, President, Link Solutions at ZenFi Networks.
Queens elected officials including Borough President Donovan Richards joined for the Grand Opening, in addition, representatives from O’Kane Electric Company also participated to speak about their donation of $5,000 towards the purchase of tablets for seniors at the Allen Senior Center, ensuring their ability to stay connected to senior programs and services. The Center of Hearing and Communication participated in the event, offering seniors free hearing screenings.
The launch of the Queens Gigabit Center is a part of LinkNYC’s partnership with OTI to help provide free high-speed Wi-Fi access and digital literacy programming to New Yorkers. Earlier this year, LinkNYC, in partnership with OTI, began deploying 2,000 next-generation Link5G kiosks that provide New Yorkers in more neighborhoods with free high-speed Wi-Fi and even faster, more reliable 5G mobile broadband service. In addition, by installing the fiber optic “backbone” infrastructure everywhere LinkNYC kiosks are deployed, LinkNYC is making it easier and cheaper for New Yorkers to get high-speed broadband internet access at home.
“The Allen Community Senior Citizens Center is excited to be a chosen as a CityBridge Gigabit Center in collaboration with LinkNYC and Zenfi to bring high speed internet services to this senior population in Southeast Queens. The COVID pandemic has caused many of our seniors to shift to virtual activities to remain active and social. A special thank you to O’Kane Electric Company for their generous donation of $5,000 towards the purchase of tablets for our seniors ensuring their ability to stay connected to our senior programs and services.” said Donna Atmore-Dolly, Executive Director of the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center.
“Hugh O’Kane Electric is proud to have partnered with ZenFi since the inception of the LinkNYC project to bring broadband telecommunication services to all areas and neighborhoods in New York City as we continue to help bridge the digital divide. We are especially proud of our involvement in helping build the Queens Gig Center.” said Hugh R. O’Kane, President of Hugh O’Kane Electric Co., Inc.
“CHC is thrilled to have participated in this great venture by providing hearing screenings to the seniors at the Allen Center. One in three seniors over the age of 65 has a hearing loss and access to digital methods of communication can be life-changing for those who have difficulty hearing. The Queens Gigabit Center will be an incredible asset to the community and the Allen Center.” said Laurie Hanin, PhD, CCC-A, Executive Director, Center for Hearing and Communication.
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About LinkNYC
LinkNYC is the world’s largest and fastest free public Wi-Fi network. Each Link kiosk provides free superfast Wi-Fi, phone calls, device charging, access to social services, and displays content such as real-time weather, transit info, public art, and local information. The city-wide network has more than 11 million Wi-Fi users and has connected more than 25 million free phone calls. All of LinkNYC’s services are completely free to users and taxpayers, provided by CityBridge, a partnership led by Intersection and ZenFi Networks. The second generation offering will deploy thousands of new kiosks, called Link5G, enabled with 5G wireless technology across the city. For more information about LinkNYC or to find a Link near you, visit www.link.nyc.
About NYC OTI
The Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) is the leading voice of technology in the City of New York. Technology underpins everything the City does, from policing to benefits screening, and with the combined power of technology expertise across the City, OTI is agile, efficient, and laser-focused on revolutionizing technology and government with an aim at increasing the quality of service for all New Yorkers. We “Get Stuff Done” by streamlining every facet of the City’s technology management into a single cohesive work stream with one common purpose: to enhance the lives of New Yorkers through technology.
About ZenFi Networks
ZenFi Networks is a member of the joint venture CityBridge, which deploys and operates LinkNYC, the largest and fastest free public Wi-Fi network in the world. As a leading digital infrastructure provider in the tri-state area, ZenFi is responsible for deployment and management of the LinkNYC Wi-Fi and kiosk network.
About Center for Hearing and Communication
Founded in 1910, CHC is a historic pillar of support, offering high-quality, comprehensive services to empower people affected by hearing loss, deafness or listening challenges. Through a unique blend of comprehensive and clinically outstanding onsite and virtual services, and community outreach programs, CHC impacts the quality of life for 50,000 infants, children, and adults annually. CHC offers the highest caliber of services to individuals and families coping with the challenges of hearing loss, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more at www.CHChearing.org.